Kazakhstan - Education System
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[edit] Overview
The education system in Kazakhstan owes a lot to the former Soviet Union. While currently undergoing reforms to better prepare candidates for the current world market, and in order to better integrate the educational system into the world market, the system is still based largely on the Soviet model, and is similar to that in other former Soviet nations.
Primary and secondary school are guaranteed for all citizens and residents and students typically study for 12 years. There are different types of secondary institutions for students depending on whether they take a professional or more academic route, with special institutes for professional studies, secondary schools for those interested in going on the tertiary study, or mixed schools which try to balance professional and academic study.
At independence, Kazakhstan inherited a nearly 100% literacy rate for both men and women, and a system of excellent pre-schools, schools, institutes and universities. However a series of factors, including brain-drain and the collapse of former state enterprises—and thus a base of income for social spending, led to the decline in number and quality of institutions. Education is seen as a key factor in Kazakhstan due to its low population density and thus corresponding need for a well-trained workforce and an educated population.
However, Kazakhstan is currently launching a number of initiatives to reform the education system and create a class of highly educated specialists to boost the economy and development of Kazakhstan.
[edit] Process of Education
[edit] Kindergarten
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan protects the right to access to kindergarten [1] Children typically start kindergarten at age 5. As of 2004, there were 100 kindergartens in the nation (83 public, 4 directly under the Ministry of Education, and 13 private) and 135 856 children enrolled in kindergartens (or 63% of the total number of 5-year and 6-year olds in the nation). All kindergartens are currently expected to teach both Kazakh and Russian, and most emphasize one language over the other.
One major problem has been the reduction of the number of kindergartens, due to the lack of state funding and virtually non-existence of private sources of money. There are also reported declines in the quality of kindergartens including a lack of hot meal or low quality food served, and buildings in poor repair.[2]
[edit] Primary school
Primary school in Kazakhstan starts at age 6 and runs from years 1 – 5. Classes typically run in two sessions, from 8 until 1 and from 1 until 5, with students either going to class in the morning or in the afternoon. All primary schools are state-owned and primary and secondary education are constitutionally protected rights.4 The curriculum includes x, y and z.
The curriculum for both primary and secondary school is established by the Ministry of Education, with little choice left up to the individual schools. Textbooks are sold in bookstores throughout the country and are purchased by the students themselves.
Primary school is provided free to all citizens and residents of Kazakhstan and parents typically pay only for extra-curricular activities such as sports programs, music programs, and sometimes lab equipment or other special equipment.
[edit] Lower secondary school
Students continue in lower secondary school from year to year 8. This roughly corresponds to what is called in the USA, junior high school, or middle school. Typically a student in year 8 is 14-15 years old. The curriculum is a general education curriculum covering subjects like Russian literature, Kazakh language, history, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and so on.
[edit] Higher secondary school
Once leaving lower secondary school, there are three tracks available. Students are free to choose any track of higher secondary education but are required to pursue one track. Graduates of all three tracks are eligible to enter university.
The first track is a general secondary school which covers grades 10 -11 and provides general education covering a variety of subjects.
In addition, there are two curriculum tracks for vocational education: Initial vocational education which is provided by training schools and lycees, and secondary vocational education provided by colleges and trade schools.
Initial training schools are designed to train students in a skilled profession. The program is usually two or three years, (typically ages 16 – 18), but for some professional training four year programs are required. Students who graduate can go on to Colleges for advanced vocational training or attend university. The state provides costs of education from the budget.
Lycees also provide basic vocational education to prepare students for skilled professions, but also includes general academic education. The course of study is three years. The state provides costs of education from the budget.
Colleges give a program that provides both academic general education and advanced vocational education. Colleges, if licensed, can also provide initial vocational education. Programs last for three or four years (grades 10 – 12, 13). Accelerated programs exist for students who have already completed both general secondary education and initial vocational training in the same field. Graduates may go on to university or may begin working. As of the 1999 Budget Law being passed, colleges are state-owned and self financed. In principle however, all compulsory education (primary and secondary) is provided free of charge.
The curriculum for both primary and secondary school is established by the Ministry of Education, with little choice left up to the individual schools. Textbooks are sold in bookstores throughout the country and are purchased by the students themselves.
Like primary school, secondary school is subsidized by the government and parents only pay for extra-curricular activities such as sports programs, music programs, and sometimes lab equipment or other special equipment.
[edit] Tertiary Institutions
There are two kinds of tertiary organizations or institutes of higher education (высшее учебное заведение) as they are called in Russian.
The universities, unlike Western universities, focus entirely on teaching and do not engage in research. Students who are accepted to university at any level apply under a specific major, and the curriculum is set by the university (according to State legislation) for each major. For example, economics majors will all study in the same courses in the same order, separate from English majors who have a different curriculum. Some courses are required for a variety of majors and there is a possibility of switching majors but typically classes do not transfer to the new major and the student is expected to reenter in the new major as a first year.
The government is currently pursuing a program to adopt a credit-system which would allow students to study more easily internationally, and to add the possibility of a curriculum with electives and student-chosen courses.
There are four levels of tertiary education in Kazakhstan: Bachelors degree—typically a four-year degree Specialist degree—typically a five-year degree and more intensive than the bachelors Masters degree—typically a two year degree, roughly corresponding to the Western masters. Doctoral degree—typically a five year program.
Universities are usually headed by a rector, appointed by the President of Kazakhstan, who wields considerable authority over the institution, approving all decisions including those regarding curriculum, personnel, and admission. Thus Kazakhstany universities are more centralized than their Western counterparts.
The top two universities in Kazakhstan are al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty and Eurasian National University located in Astana. Karaganda National University is also well-regarded.
In addition, there are a few international universities such as KIMEP, which is a joint program, 40% owned by the government of Kazakhstan, but education is based on the Western system. The Kazakh-British Technical University and the Kazakh-American University represent joint projects between Kazakhstan and the UK and the USA, respectively. In all three institutions, the language of instruction is English. The University of Central Asia, founded jointly by the Governments of Kazhakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and by His Highness the Aga Khan, is affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network. Its Kazakhstan campus is located in Tekeli. A number of specialty universities also exist. As of ??, there were ?? public universities and ?? private universities.
Private universities, typically for-profit instituitons, are subject to the same regulations regarding curriculum but are free to set tuition and salaries as they see fit. Public universities are subject to the same regulations as other government-owned organs, regarding not only fees and salaries, but also administrative structure, contracting and subcontracting, and ownership of property.[3]
In order to pursue university education, students must pass national exams: one exam in Russian, one exam in Kazakhstan History, and one in mathematics. Other exams may be required for different majors. Universities also often require entrance exams in selected subjects depending on the major the student wishes to pursue.
In addition, students who have received perfect marks throughout secondary school receive the Altyn Begil (Gold Medal) and can opt to take only an exam in Kazakhstan History and mathematics. If they pass, they are automatically accepted to public universities in the country. Students are assigned financial aid in the form of state grants or loans based on their scores, and state-owned universities then accept students.
The State Order system also funds certain students for certain programs of study.
State owned universitiesd receive funding if their enrollment reaches 86,000 students or 34%[2] A small number of universities are financed through a budget line in the Republic budget, such as art academies or international universities.
Students choose a speciality and the program is fixed by the university. The State Standards of Higher Education determine the basic content of the curriculum, student’s maximum classload, as well as entrance requirements.
When students receive their diploma, they can opt to work, or obtain a masters degree.
The second type of institute of higher education are institutes, which focus more heavily on research but do take on students as well. They tend to prepare students for professional or scientific careers, as opposed to academic job paths.
[edit] Public Funding of Education
Students who have not received general upper secondary education, have the academic portion of their program financed by the state. As for the vocational track, some students pay fees and others are financed through the state order program, where state authorities request a certain number of trained workers and specialists in certain fields. These students are chosen through a merit-based competition, based on grades and recommendations from teachers or public officials.
The majority of taxes, fees, and other government sources of income are collected by the central State government. Only those taxes or fees relating directly to the province or oblast are collected by local governments, and most oblasts do not collect enough income to support their budgets. Funding for public education comes out of the state budget and the process of approval is the same as for other public services or government programs and projects.
The central government sets a maximum limitation for spending per oblast based on past budgets from each oblast. Each individual institution sets its own budget for the upcoming year and submits them to the city or regional government, which approves them, compiles them, and sends a general budget for the region to the oblast government, which is in turn approved, compiled and sent on the central government in the form of the Ministry of the Economy and Budget Planning and the State Budget Committee.
Education for the nation as a whole made up
- 14.4% of public expenditures in 1999
- 12.1% in 2000
- 11.9% in 2001
- 12.6% in 2002
of which the lions share went to general education:
| Level/type of education | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-school education | 3.1 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| General education | 68.4 | 73.7 | 65.2 | 68.7 | 66.2 | 68.4 |
| Primary vocational education | 3.2 | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 3.2 |
| Secondary vocational education | 3.5 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.8 |
| Other educational programmes | 11.9 | 6.1 | 17.1 | 12.3 | 16.4 | 12.8 |
| Higher education | 9.9 | 10.0 | 9.1 | 9.9 | 8.5 | 9.5 |
| sector | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 (first half) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National | 11,864 | 14,374 | 17,303 | 20,323 | 21,991 |
| Industry | 16,370 | 20,647 | 23,812 | 26,280 | 27,952 |
| Public administration | 11,308 | 11,758 | 14,970 | 16,930 | 17,374 |
| Health care and social work | 6,821 | 7,267 | 8,288 | 10,863 | 12,089 |
| Education | 8,149 | 8,512 | 9,937 | 12,863 | 14,510 |
[edit] Projects and Programs
[edit] Bolashak
The Bolashak Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was created in 1993 by the decree of the President: “In Kazakhstan’s transition toward a market economy and the expansion of international contacts, there is an acute need for a workforce with advanced western education, and so, it is now necessary to send the most qualified youth to study in leading educational institutions in foreign countries”.[5] The Scholarship is merit-based and the selection process includes not only academic credentials, but also competence in the language of study, psychological testing and an interview process. Commitment to development of Kazakhstan and patriotism are factors as well. The final decision is made by the Republican Commission, chaired by the State Secretary and composed of the Ministers, members of Parliament, and members of the Office of the President. The Republican Commission also approves the country of study and program of study.
The list of official programs of study is collected every year by surveying Ministries and state companies as to their need for specialists.
Originally, the program was administered by the Ministry of Education and sent approximately 60 students abroad every year for masters degrees. Popular majors included economics and political science and graduates were required to return and work within the government. In 2005, the President announced that he would expand the program to 3 000 students annually and include undergraduate as well as graduate students. He also created the Center for International Programs to administrate the program.
The Scholarship requires that all recipients return to Kazakhstan after graduating and work for five years in Kazakhstan. The Scholarship pays for all costs related to education, including tuition and fees, costs of travel, and a living stipend. Scholars are expected to maintain academic excellence. In the US, this translates to a 3.0 GPA.
There are currently about 1 800 scholarship recipients studying abroad in 24 countries. About 1 700 were awarded the Scholarship in 2005. The most popular countries are the USA (about 700 students chosen in 2005), the UK (about 400 students chosen last year) and Russia (about 300 students chosen in 2005). Australia and Malaysia are two countries represented for the first time in 2005 and host 2 Bolashak Scholars each.
[edit] Transfering to a Credit System
The government is currently pursuing a program to adopt a credit-system which would allow students to study more easily internationally, and to add the possibility of a curriculum with electives and student-chosen courses.
[edit] Congress of Youth
Конгрес молодожи
[edit] Zhaseil El
(Жасыл Ел or Green Land)
[edit] History
[edit] Traditional Forms of Education
[edit] Education under the Tsars
[edit] The Soviet Period
[edit] Independent Kazakhstan
[edit] Problems
In connection with a lack of school facilities or a lack of teachers, some primary and secondary schools run three, instead of two sessions, so one group of students attends from 8 to 1pm, a second from 1pm to 5, and a third session from 5pm to 10pm. This results in overworked teachers, students who are kept up late, and overused facilities.Cite error 2; Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no content must have a name
Although primary and secondary school are provided free, parents are sometimes urged by the schools or even coerced into making payments to the schools that go to many aspects of their children’s education, including food, desks, heating bills, repairs of the school, etc. These payments can sometimes be seen as bribes.
There have reportedly been cases of bribes paid to professors, particularly in secondary school and university in order to achieve good grades. While Kazakhstan appears to have a lower incidence rate than Russia or other CIS countries, the problem still exists. Furthermore, cases are reported of children of important personages, such as businessmen or political figures, being given automatic perfect grades at university regardless of their class attendance.
There are also complaints that the educational system is being used by the government as a poitical tool, and students are often pressured into joining various political youth groups, or youth groups thinly disguised as political groups, such as the Congress of Youth or Zhasiel El, and participating in public events. There are rumors that professors, teachers and students alike are pressured to vote for the incumbent party and candidates. School children are often seen performing for public figures at holidays, missing time at school for rehearsals. There is a question of whether this is any different from what occurs in most countries in the world, but critics of the government believe that these activities border on brainwashing, to accustom students to the status quo, and resemble Soviet-era parades where political leaders are led to believe that the population supports, respects, even loves them.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) published a report on financing of public education in Kazakhstan in 2004, which mentions widely-agreed upon criticisms of the public education system reported elsewhere. According to this report, financing of public education is low, and mechanisms to introduce private financing have been unsuccessful. Furthermore, the Budget Code and the law 'On education' fail to clearly delineate responsibilities of local and central government, nor do they include sufficent mechanisms for monitoring budget expenditures.[4]
[edit] External Links
http://www.edu.kz Official Site of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan
http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/center_view.html?id=3983 2004 UN Human Development Report, “Education for All”
http://www.cip-edu.kz Center for International Programs, which administrates the Bolashak Program
[edit] Relevant legislation
- "On education"
- "Concept of education development in the Republic of Kazakhstan up to 2015," (Government Decree No 48-P on 2nd April 2003).
- "National Programme on Education" (2000),
- "2010 Education Development Strategy" (2001),
- "2015 Concept of Education Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan", (approved on 24 February 2004).
- "2010 National Education Development Programme in the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2004)
[edit] References
- ^ Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Article 30
- ^ a b http://www.undp.kz/library_of_publications/center_view.html?id=3983 2004 UN Human Development Report, “Education for All”
- ^ Decree of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev of November 9, 1993
- ^ a b c Mercer, Malcom and Elmira Khalikova, ' Education Sector Development Strategy" ADB and the British Council, Astana 2004
- ^ Decree of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev of November 9, 1993
