1. Education and the Quality of Life Wojciech Knieć, phD Institute of Sociology Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland

2. Research background of this presentation 1989 - The quality and standards of rural families life”, Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń and the Institute of Social Structure Rural Economy Federal Office In Brunswick 1989 - The quality and standards of rural families life”, Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń and the Institute of Social Structure Rural Economy Federal Office In Brunswick 1993-1996 – COST - similarities and differences on the conditions and quality of life rural families in Central Europe 1993-1996 – COST - similarities and differences on the conditions and quality of life rural families in Central Europe 1998 – Quality of life in Niorthern Poland, Know-How Fund 1998 – Quality of life in Niorthern Poland, Know-How Fund 2005 – Education needs of rural inhabitants in Northern Poland 2005 – Education needs of rural inhabitants in Northern Poland

3. The quality of life Level of life satisfaction, depending on standards of living, level of life, personal freedom, happinness, access to socially important goods (job, nature, safety etc.) Level of life satisfaction, depending on standards of living, level of life, personal freedom, happinness, access to socially important goods (job, nature, safety etc.) Level of life:state of realization those needs (values) that individual or family recognize as important one for their existence. Level of life:state of realization those needs (values) that individual or family recognize as important one for their existence.

4. The level of life satisfaction of rural inhabitants (%)

5. The evaluation of chances for the access to work and proving the material standard of life (%)

6. The evaluation of chances for the access to education, possibilities for participating in culture and getting social esteem

7. Education as a factor stimulating the life quality the number of dissatisfied with life was clearly diminishing along with the increase of the level of education the number of dissatisfied with life was clearly diminishing along with the increase of the level of education Realization of primary life values is stronlgy related with individual’s level of education, (except health) Realization of primary life values is stronlgy related with individual’s level of education, (except health) education understood as a social value is being currently found on the top of life aspirations hierarchy which had been declared by rural inhabitants, even in the most marginalized communities - post-state farms villages education understood as a social value is being currently found on the top of life aspirations hierarchy which had been declared by rural inhabitants, even in the most marginalized communities - post-state farms villages

8. Dissatisfied with life and the level of education (%)

9. Evaluation of the level of realization primary life values depending on education

10. Education as a factor stimulating the life quality Level of education strongly defines family survival strategies – the better education possessed, the more rational strategies taken Level of education strongly defines family survival strategies – the better education possessed, the more rational strategies taken Higher level of education determines more innovative life strategies, especially in crises context (e.g. – danger of farm closing) Higher level of education determines more innovative life strategies, especially in crises context (e.g. – danger of farm closing)

11. Level of education and survival strategies of small- farms owners (Poland, 2005) Level of education Presented attitude High Seconda ry Vocatio nal Primary Will be looking for a job outside the agriculture 2929206 Will be looping for a job in agriculture 36182 Will be looking for supplementary source of he’s income on a farm 1623116 Will increase an added worth of production 2422108 Will be looking for a welfare support 281223 Will be looping for help towards family 051124 Does not think abort this, things will work out 421025 Does not know 5586 Total83100100100

12. Education and the Quality of Rural Life – source of marginalization and instrument for combatting exclusion Rural population is marginalized in access to education, then the qaulity of life measured by this factor is lower than on urban areas Rural population is marginalized in access to education, then the qaulity of life measured by this factor is lower than on urban areas Acquiring education: on formal and non-formal basis – is the way for combatting exclusion Acquiring education: on formal and non-formal basis – is the way for combatting exclusion On rural areas it is still common, that education is treated as an „urban value” On rural areas it is still common, that education is treated as an „urban value”

13. Opinions of rural inhabitants on the possibilities of realization educational aspirations

14. Resume Education is an important value defining individuals’ quality of life Education is an important value defining individuals’ quality of life Education stimulates life quality Education stimulates life quality Education determines life strategies and survival strategies Education determines life strategies and survival strategies Education is still „urban value” on rural areas Education is still „urban value” on rural areas