ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to determine the opinions of individuals on the roles of education and girls’ education in community development within the context of their educational levels. Phenomenology was used as a research design in the study which was structured within the frame of qualitative research methods. The participants of the study consisted of 48 individuals chosen by using maximum variation sampling. Focus group interview technique was used for data collection. 6 focus group interviews were conducted in consequence of separating individuals into smaller groups according to their educational levels. Data of the study were analyzed through content analysis method. According to results of the study, it is considered that education especially contributes to community development by ensuring economic and social development, contributing to policy establishment process, creating and diffusing of culture and paving the way for scientific and technological developments. It was concluded that barriers to girls’ education such as early marriage, manners, traditions, parental ignorance and economic impossibility affect community development in a negative way. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that works raising awareness of all segments of society about the roles of education and girls’ education in community development through concrete indicators should be carried out.