Elements Related to the Refugee and Migration Phenomenon in Primary School Textbooks

This study examined refugee and migration topics in the 1st–4th grade textbooks. The study examined how textbooks include refugees and the migration dilemma across different levels and subjects. The research examined how these teaching resources portray forced migrants and refugees. The 2022–2023 academic year saw a detailed review of 39 textbooks from public primary schools across Turkey. A qualitative research paradigm and document analysis were used to obtain data. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The survey indicated that textbooks discussed refugees and migration to a limited level. First-through-fourth-grade textbooks included this topic. It was recognized that this topic was not sufficiently covered. According to examination across disciplines, biological sciences textbooks focused more on refugees and migration than mathematics and science textbooks. No significant findings were seen in Turkish, English, music, or traffic safety textbooks. The study found that refugees and forced migrants were mostly portrayed as “guests” and “in need of assistance,” reinforcing negative stereotypes. The study findings were used to engage in a debate that coincided with relevant scholarly literature, resulting in suggestions.