The Reality to which Second Field of Basic Education Teachers are Practicing the 21st Century Skills from their Point of view - A Field Study

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the reality of practicing 21st-century skills by second-cycle basic education teachers in schools in the city of Latakia. These skills include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and the use of technology. The researcher employed a descriptive-analytical approach, distributing a questionnaire consisting of 58 items to a sample of 214 teachers. The findings revealed that the level of teachers’ practice of these skills was generally moderate. Creativity and innovation skills ranked highest among the skills practiced by teachers, followed by life skills, then communication and collaboration skills. On the other hand, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, along with information technology skills, were the least practiced.

These results were attributed to multiple factors, including weak professional qualifications among teachers, a lack of appropriate educational resources, and overcrowded classrooms. Additionally, the researcher highlighted the impact of social and economic conditions, including the educational crises caused by the war, which adversely affected the educational environment.

The study recommended providing comprehensive training programs for teachers focusing on developing 21st-century skills and integrating these skills into teacher preparation programs and school curricula. It also emphasized the need to improve the physical environment of schools and ensure the availability of necessary technological resources. Furthermore, the study called for additional research to include the perspectives of students and school administrators for a deeper analysis of these practices. This study underscores the urgent need to enhance the quality of education amid current challenges by empowering teachers to apply modern skills required for 21st-century educational processes.