PARENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS COST-SHARING AND ITS IMPACT ON THE AFFORDABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to explore and understand the attitudes of Kazakhstani parents regarding cost-sharing for higher education and to examine how this attitude affects the affordability of higher education for their children. The Cost-Sharing concept (Johnstone, 1986) is used as a conceptual framework to examine parents' attitude towards responsibility for the distribution of costs for higher education of their children in Kazakhstan. A quantitative correlational research design is conducted by using an online survey tool. The study sample included 209 parents of students in grades 8-11 in two schools in the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. This research reveals parents' resistance toward cost-sharing concept and their preference for full government funding of their children's higher education. However, at the same time, there is a high level of concern about the future financial burden; parents note that they consider higher education in Kazakhstan affordable. This study has important implications for the government of Kazakhstan and its higher education institutions by further analyzing the impact of government initiatives on parental attitudes toward spending in higher education.