Education in Kazakhstan

Kindergarten:The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan protects the right to access to kindergarten Children typically start kindergarten at age 5. As of 2004, there were 100 kindergarten 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 kindergarten are currently expected to teach both Kazakh and Russian, and most emphasize one language over the other.

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 school are state-owned and primary and secondary education are 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. Textbooks are given by government in the schools to the students. 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.

Lower secondary school:Students continue in lower secondary school from grade 5 to year 9. 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 literature, student's first language, Russian or Kazakh language (depending on the language of the school in general), history, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, foreign language, and so on.

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 lyceums, 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. Lyceums 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 it is 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. Tertiary Institutions: 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.

Task 2 Answer the question?

1. Who goes to kindergarten?
2. What age can children go primary school?
3. Is primary school free to all citizens of Kazakhstan?
4. What subjects does lower secondary school cover?
5. What is higher secondary school?
6. What is Bachelors degree?
7. What is Masters degree?
8. What is Doctoral degree?

Task 3 Group work: prepare presentation on the following themes:

1. Kindergarten
2. Primary school
3. Lower secondary school
4. Higher secondary school
5. Tertiary Institutions

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 2324