Reading the text and retelling it. “Education in Kazakhstan”

“Education in Kazakhstan”

The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan protects the right to access to kindergarten. All kindergartens are currently expected to teach both Kazakh and Russian, and most emphasize one language over the other. Primary school in Kazakhstan starts at age 6 and runs from years 1 – 5. All primary schools are state-owned and primary and secondary education is constitutionally protected rights. The curriculum for both primary and secondary school is established by the Ministry of Education, with little choice left up to the individual schools. 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 other special equipments.

Once leaving lower secondary school, there are three levels available. Students are free to choose any level of higher secondary education but are required to pursue one level. Graduates of all three levels are eligible to enter university. Initial vocational education which is provided by training schools and lyceums, and secondary vocational education provided by colleges and trade schools. The program is usually two or three years, (typically ages 16 – 18), but for some professional training four year programs are required. If students graduate colleges and technical schools they can go on to Colleges for advanced vocational training or attend university. The state provides costs of education from the budget. Lyceums also provide basic vocational education to prepare students for skilled professions, but also include 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. if the colleges are licensed, they will also provide initial vocational education. Graduates may go on to university or may begin working. The universities, following the Russian system, 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. 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 is 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 Kazakhstani 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 State 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.