A comparison on school cultures of Turkey, Greece, North and South Cyprus

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of comparing the organizational culture in four public high schools in the capital cities of Turkey, Greece, North and South Cyprus in light of the educational system administered under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Culture in each country. The research aims to understand and compare the multi-layered nature of each country's school culture by using influencing factors of images and metaphors; physical culture; values and beliefs; norms; rituals and ceremonies; language and cliches; stories and legends; and reward systems. To gain an insight into the behaviour, attitudes and beliefs as well as a deep understanding of the participants' experiences, a qualitative method of research was used, relying on the triangulation of participant semi-structured interviews, observations and written sources to collect data from 52 participants; 1 principal, 2 assistant principals and 10 teachers in each of the 4 cases; over the period between January and May 2009. The results showed that despite the fact that the schools are found at different countries, they share more common elements than differences, regarding their organisational culture.