The public opinion concerning education: preferences, contradictions and prospects for enrichment

Abstract

The article is devoted to the problems of public opinion as an important factor in the successful implementation of
reforms in the education field. It is shown that education in Ukrainian society traditionally is in a great trust and the
people’s confidence in choosing the right developmental direction at the beginning of the state independence of Ukraine is gradually increasing. At the same time, the public opinion reflects a real contradiction of processes that took place over the quarter of a century in the education sector and highly critically evaluates the achieved level of education quality and accessibility of qualitative educational services. The public opinion on education itself is quite often controversial: some educational reforms and innovations are getting approved by the majority of population, while others, by contrast, are being perceived with suspicion or even cause resistance. It can be explained by insufficient awareness of significant part of society, lack of understanding of the systemic nature of ongoing reforms. Thus, there is an urgent task of creating an effective system of studying and consideration of public opinion in the education sector. Therefore, consideration of public opinion, along with certain adjustments in the reformist course also provides its purposeful formation, release of existing prejudices and outdated stereotypes.