THE OBJECTIVES OF BIOLOGY EDUCATION IN THE TEACHERS' CONCEPTION: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY WITH HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS

This research aimed to investigate the conceptions of teachers about the didactic-pedagogical objectives of biology teaching. The methodology was developed from a qualitative approach based on the phenomenological method, using theoretical saturation for sample closure. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with biology teachers from public schools in the city of Joao Pessoa (PB), investigating the view of teachers on the objectives of teaching Biology. The results point out that the teachers project the contextualization of the contents with aspects of the students' daily life is the central objective of the reports, being a theme that appeared in the interview of all the teachers interviewed. Teachers also defended teaching for university entrance exam preparation (teaching for testing); the developing an understanding of how nature works; understanding of scientific language; of notions about the processes that involve the scientific method; and the importance of contextualizing the contents of Biology with that of other school subjects. In general, it was possible to conclude that the teachers conceptions point to a commitment to the students' scientific and citizen education, but the objectives for the preparation of the entrance exam can cause a distortion between the objectives of the teaching of Biology and the commitments to the social and critical formation of the students.