While Kyrgyzstan does not yet have an established VNFIL system and the national legislative framework is still being developed, recent legislation in education and the support of key national stakeholders provide a good basis for growth.
Kyrgyzstan identifying VNFIL development as a strategic objective for education shows a recognition of VNFIL’s potential, particularly for the labour market and the workforce. Although significant system developments are still forthcoming, Kyrgyzstan recently approved a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and has a definition for VNFIL that entitles citizens to undergo validation to receive a qualification. Furthermore, to promote the concept of VNIFL in education, in August 2023 the Government also adopted the Regulation on the establishment of the ‘Centre for Independent Certification and Validation’ under the Ministry of Education and Science, which should carry out activities aimed at improving the quality of vocational education in the Kyrgyz Republic through independent assessment of skills/qualifications as well as recognition of non-formal learning. Building on pockets of pilot activities across the labour market, education and training sectors, more significant developments such as the development of occupational standards are expected in the next seven years.
Kyrgyzstan’s attention until the end of the decade is expected to focus on addressing institutional constraints and on system-level legal and regulatory work benefiting education and the labour market. These include establishing a role and framework for VNFIL in the education system, strengthening linkages between educational institutions of further education and employers, establishing a system of quality assurance, and developing a model for formal recognition of qualifications, skills and knowledge acquired through non-formally and based on professional experience.
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