Kilpailukyky peruskoulussa : aineistona alakouluopettajien ryhmäkeskustelut

Objectives. The purpose of the study is to find out whether the group discussions of primary school teachers features concepts related to competitiveness. I look at the subject by asking teachers what direction comprehensive school is heading towards and how teachers would develop comprehensive school. The discussion on education policy has general features of competitiveness and it is described as neoliberal. In the theoretical framework, I examined the policies and programs of education politics in support of the theory. The concept of competitiveness is described as vague and ambiguous. In the group discussions themes that were mentioned frequently were evaluation, measurement and development. These concepts are related to competitiveness. I looked at my research problem through themes. This research is from the fields of general and adult education research. Methods. The study was carried out using qualitative methods. As a research method, I used thematic analysis. I conducted two group discussion for collecting my data. Two groups of primary school teachers participated in the group discussions in spring 2019. Both primary schools are located in the Uusimaa region. Results and conclusions. The results show that competitiveness emerged in the group discussions of primary school teachers. Competitiveness comes to the fore in the group discussions of primary schools teachers as an emphasis on evaluation and measurement. In addition, the results show that in comprehensive school, individualization plays a key role. The contrary speech of competitiveness emerged in discussions as development. Defining the concept of competitiveness in the educational context of primary school requires further research.