An Evaluation Based on Teachers’ and Students’ Opinions on Art Curricula in Northern and Southern Cyprus

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to make an evaluation based on opinions of teachers and students on the Year 8 visual art curricula implemented at the secondary education level in both northern and southern Cyprus schools. Ten Year 8 Visual Art teachers from Northern Cyprus (n=10) and Southern Cyprus (n=13), and 1200 students from both sides participated in this research. Opinions of teachers on the visual art curricula gathered through semi-structured interview forms whereas opinions of students gathered through the "Visual Art Curriculum Evaluation Scale". The findings of research reveal that the value given to the visual art curricula in both communities is low in terms of communal, administrative, managerial and senior managerial perspectives. Furthermore, the findings indicate that compared to Southern Cyprus, there is a further need of financial support, an update and development of the content of visual art curriculum implemented in Northern Cyprus.

Peacebuilding Strategies in Conflict Societies Through Art Education: Cyprus

“…At this point, it can be claimed that peace culture in recent years has been discussed with different approaches and opinions and that, for a democratic and humanist viewpoint of society, art education has a special place in conveying peace culture awareness to students (Lederach & Appleby, 2010). An examination of the literature shows that several studies have focused on art educaton in the conveying of peace culture to students (Miralay, 2017;Miralay & Hürsen 2016;Ishaq, 2007;Glenn, 2011). For example, Bajaja and Hantzopoulos (2016) showed that characteristics which require adherence to freedom, creativity and ethical ideals is essential in the popularization of peace culture.…”