Transformations  in
Business & Economics

Economic Transformation vs. Educational Aspirations Expressed by Poles
Katarzyna Wlodarczyk-Spiewak

ABSTRACT. Observing the ways of developing competitive advantage in the 21st century economy, one cannot deny that educational processes, which employees go through, play a more and more crucial role. This requires involvement from a state which should use certain instruments to develop scientific infrastructure. On the other hand, it should be stated that educational aspirations expressed by society itself are of major importance as well. People become more and more aware of the fact they must extend their education and improve qualifications.

In Poland, economic transformation and changes affected labour market as well, due to which Polish people began to understand education in a different way and satisfy their educational aspirations. Therefore, the article attempts to present changes that occurred in Polish society’s education, determine its role in the life of a Polish family, and also discuss its educational aspirations in the period 1990-2009. Furthermore, the analysis will point to major changes and tendencies in expenses on education covered by Polish households since 1990.

KEYWORDS: education, economic transformation, society, Poland.

JEL classification: I22, I23, O15, D19, P2.