On multiple realities of educational strategies of the youth

Abstract

This article presents some results of the study conducted by the article authors from November 2014 to February 2015 in Almaty at the Centre for Sociological Research and Social Engineering to determine the edu-cational and professional strategies of Kazakh youth and determinants of its formation. The survey involved 571 respondents. For comparison the results of other sociological studies are presented too. During the prepara-tion of the research a multistage sampling quota was used, where essen-tial criteria were chosen socio-demographic characteristics (gender, age, nationality),the region and the direction of specialization. Modern society is characterized by a general aspiration to receive higher education after graduating school. And it is defined as an indicator of democracy. But is this true? Do all school graduates need to enter higher education? In this article we would like to focus on the concept, that changed, is changing and will change in the future. It is the concept of «equal educa-tional opportunities.» What is its role, importance and essence? How the Kazakh youth evaluate the importance of higher education?