Integrating folk traditions in contemporary higher education in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

Purpose. An appeal to folk traditions and customs is one of the ways in which contemporary, highly-structured education can be enriched. Methodology. The careful analysis of the social sciences and humanities disciplines in Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan shows the possibility of the improvement of teaching at university level by integrating a special course aimed at acquiring the knowledge of ethnography and folk pedagogy by students of pedagogical specialties. Results. The results of the survey designed to identify the attitude of students toward folk traditions and customs have proved the validity of integrating this course into the curriculum. Conclusions. The results of an experiment are analyzed to identify the desired pedagogical conditions for using folk traditions and customs in the education of university level students.