EVALUATION OF PRE-SERVICE BIOLOGY TEACHERS' OPINIONS ABOUT PEDAGOGICAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Pedagogical Formation (Education) Certificate Program (PFSP) is a program in Turkey that has opened for students who are attending or have graduated from faculties of science are granted the right to become teachers upon completing their undergraduate program. Actually the students who are graduated from education faculties has the right of becoming as a teacher directly but Pedagogical Formation Certificate Program also give chance to other students who has successfully finished this program. PFSP's policy, which conflicts with education faculties' main goal of educating highly qualified teachers, is believed to cause a number of problems. Based on this consideration, this study aims to examine and evaluate pre-service biology teachers' opinions on Pedagogical Formation Certificate Programs offered by selected universities with the approval of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Data on pre-service biology teachers' opinions were analysed using content analysis, and similar opinions were grouped under various categories by using ATLAS.ti program. Pre-service biology teachers' opinions on pedagogical formation certificate programs, more specifically on how they define these fast-track formation programs, the injustices they feel they are subjected to as a result, the problems related to difficulties with acquiring teaching skills and competencies in a short period of time, were examined and evaluated along with their recommendations concerning these programs.