SOME ASPECTS OF NATURAL SCIENCE LITERACY AND COMPETENCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS

Natural science competence of primary school teachers is one of the constituent parts of general professional competence. It is obvious that the students, would-be teachers (future teachers) of primary school, should receive considerably high education in the field of natural science education in the process of studies. Working primary school teachers should also develop their professional competence. Finally, it is important to stress that natural science teaching in primary school be powerful and purposeful. It is obligatory to avoid the marginalization of natural science education (teaching and learning) at the primary school level. Natural science education in primary schools, by contrast, must be consistent and efficient, because it is the basis for deeper study of the natural sciences in secondary and higher education.