Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Problems of Education in the 21 st Century, cilt.78, sa.5, ss.754-776, 2020 (ESCI)
Education is the most effctive tool for enabling immigrants’ integration into the country they live in. The
aim of this research is to determine teachers’ views related to the education of Syrian students attending
state schools. By presenting them through the experiences of their teachers, this paper deals with how
the educational experiences at school of Syrian children of school age are shaped in state schools. The
research is planned with a qualitative approach as a case study design. The participants of the research
were 34 teachers working in state schools and having Syrian students in their classes. The research data
were collected via focus group interviews and semi-structured interviews in Rize, Turkey between the
years 2017-2019. The data in the focus group and semi-structured interviews were supported by means
of observations. The research fidings reveal that the biggest problem in teachers’ opinions was the
language problem and the communication and academic barriers resulting from this, that Syrian students
suffred from depression and trauma because of war and migration, that they had a feeling of loneliness,
and that nevertheless, they were happy at school. Therefore, this research reveals that teachers working
with Syrian students are in need of vocational training and development consolidation in order to provide
academic and psychological support for these students. Successfully addressing the educational needs
of Syrian students in school will be especially benefiial for enabling Syrian children’s integration into
society.