Research Article

Teaching practicum and science education in European primary schools: A comparative analysis of pre-service teacher preparation across the EU

Konstantinos T Kotsis 1 *
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1 Department of Primary Education, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, GREECE* Corresponding Author
Eurasian Journal of Science and Environmental Education, 6(2), 2026, 83-93, https://doi.org/10.30935/ejsee/18494
Submitted: 25 October 2025, Published: 29 April 2026
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ABSTRACT

The teaching practicum is fundamental to initial teacher education, providing pre-service teachers with opportunities to cultivate pedagogical skills in genuine classroom environments. This article offers a comparative analysis of the integration of science education within the teaching practicum for primary school pre-service teachers across 27 European Union (EU) member states. The study utilizes a qualitative comparative methodology, informed by policy documents, Eurydice reports, national teacher education frameworks, and academic literature, to analyze practicum structures, pedagogical orientations, and supervisory models. Countries are categorized into four regional clusters: Central and Northern, Southern, Western, and Eastern Europe, to discern convergent trends and divergences. Research indicates a widespread alignment towards comprehensive and organized practicum experiences throughout the EU, yet notable disparities exist in the integration of science education within these experiences. Central and Northern Europe demonstrate systematic, inquiry-driven integration bolstered by research-informed teacher education, while Southern and Eastern Europe encounter ongoing difficulties concerning mentor training, resource limitations, and conventional teaching methodologies. The analysis emphasizes how structural characteristics, the quality of mentoring, and university-school collaborations influence pre-service teachers’ opportunities to cultivate science teaching competencies, providing a detailed comparative view of modern European teacher education.
Keywords: teaching practicum, pre-service teachers, science education, comparative education, European Union

CITATION (APA)

Kotsis, K. T. (2026). Teaching practicum and science education in European primary schools: A comparative analysis of pre-service teacher preparation across the EU. Eurasian Journal of Science and Environmental Education, 6(2), 83-93. https://doi.org/10.30935/ejsee/18494

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