Reviews of National Policies for Education: Secondary Education in Kazakhstan
This report evaluates the education reform agenda of Kazakhstan – its feasibility and focus – by taking stock of present-day strengths and weaknesses of the secondary education system. The report also provides guidance on adjusting the reform implementation plans in line with international experiences and best practices regarding educational change, and consolidates much of the previously dispersed (national) data on primary and secondary schools in Kazakhstan into a common analytical base of evidence, validated by the education authorities.
Chapter 1 of this report provides an overview of the country, it education system and reform plans. Subsequent chapters provide analysis of and recommendations on equity and effectiveness of schooling; assessment and evaluation practices; policies for teachers and principals; expenditure patterns and financing mechanisms; vocational education and training; and a summary of the recommendations.
Overview of the education system of Kazakhstan
Chapter 1 sets the context for the report by providing a general overview of Kazakhstan’s political and demographic structure, linguistic make up and economic and labour market indicators. It describes the national education system and its anticipated reform trajectory and provides a snapshot of Kazakhstan’s performance in international assessments such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Finally, it gives the rationale for the OECD review of secondary education.