Parents’ Priorities in School Choice in Kazakhstan

• In Event: Change and choice: Expansion, contraction, and complexity in Tajikistan and Kazakhstan

Abstract

In the past 20 years, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, many types of public and private schools have been established in Kazakhstan, creating an educational market. A number of macro-economic and policy changes have facilitated the development of various types of private schools. In addition, significant diversity exists between public schools, as some are basic schools and some specialize in particular subjects. Also, some schools have increased the amount of financial support they request from parents, with various degrees of success, resulting in a variety of material conditions. Previously there had been much less choice available, during the Soviet period. This project will highlight the types of schools and factors parents consider when choosing schools. To date, no one has studied the reasons why parents choose certain schools. This paper will present findings from a survey of 300 parents in 6 different cities of Kazakhstan.

Author

• Christopher Whitsel, North Dakota State University