Educational Research and Development Policies and Institutional Structures of Turkish Educational System

This research aims to determine the current situation, expectations, problems, and solution suggestions regarding the structure and operation of the Provincial Directorates of National Education (PDoNE) R&D units. It was designed as a case study based on qualitative research. Data were collected from documents, and interviews with 14 teachers assigned in Türkiye’s PDoNE R&D units using semi-structured forms. It was found that merit should be given importance in selection. Moreover, there is a title-authority imbalance and a lack of internal and inter-institutional cooperation and coordination. Only responsibilities are defined in the Ministry of National Education R&D Directives. Turkish Ministry’s Educational R&D policies were carried out with scattered policy legislation and applications. It is recommended to rearrange the R&D Directive in the medium term and to combine the educational R&D units/departments in comprehensive legislation in the long run.