Socio-economical aspects of higher education choice of Kazakhstani school graduates

Abstract

During 30 years of independence, Kazakhstan has transformed the market of educational services institutionally and conducted considerable legislative and financial reforms. The policy of national and state universities in the last decade has become aimed at increasing admission of self-funded graduates. The article presents the main results of the research in the choice of HEI and the access to quality edu- cation for children from families with different income level. During research was conducted interview with parents of school graduates. Sample was 100 respondents. The composition of families was varied: large families, divorced, single parents, married etc. The interviewees were representatives of different professions, different levels of education, and socio-economic status. The aim of the research was to study the process of formation socio-economically determined higher education choice by school gradu- ates in Kazakhstan. The study of this problem contributing to understand overall dynamics of the changes taking place in Kazakhstan education system. The obtained scientific results provide relevant and reli- able information to reduce and eliminate barriers specific to young people of «underprivileged» groups in Kazakhstan. The conclusions and recommendations presented in this paper are applicable in planning of vocational career guidance among high school graduates and school graduates, the organization of information work of the admission board, preparation of normative legal acts and state programs in the sphere of higher education.

Key words: higher education, access to education, economic barriers, higher educational institu-tions, professional choice.