Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in Sulaimani City High Schools: Challenges and Obstacles

Abstract

This study addresses teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills and their impact in high schools of the Kurdistan Region. The basic definitions and strategies of these skills are presented along with different perspectives to closely examine the impacts and the challenges facing both learners and educators. Investigating the role of teachers and their views about the challenges they face is the main question of this study, explored though a semi-structured interview method. The study reveals that teaching critical thinking skills is a crucial component of our education system, and the regional stakeholders have reformed the education system in Kurdistan accordingly during the past five decades. The identified challenges are discussed in this paper to show the significance of a well-planned reformation in teaching methods to promote critical thinking skills via modern strategies and methods.