In Kyrgyzstan, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the introduction of the market economy, private entrepreneurship has emerged, and new specialties and skills have become in demand. People had to be re-trained, learn new professions and skills, and get used to ways of thinking. Private courses in different types of professions are currently offered by various providers. Thus, adult education and learning has become one of the most popular and economically profitable sectors in Kyrgyzstan.
However, the most vulnerable groups of the population are frequently not able to participate in commercial courses and improve their chances in the labour market. Non-governmental organisations in Kyrgyzstan have thus joint their efforts in providing the most vulnerable groups of the population with relevant professional and personal skills to ensure their income for decent livelihoods. However, the education sector, including non-formal education and, in particular, the enhancement of the human potential of vulnerable groups of the population should also be a task of the state.
One of these organisations is the Kyrgyz Adult Education Association (KAEA), which has focused its efforts on creating conditions and improving the educational level of the country's adult population. KAEA has established an effective system of Adult Training Centres (ATCs), covering almost all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic and developing a great team of experienced trainers and mobile trainer groups ready go to implement courses in most rural parts of the country.
ATCs cover such professions as tailors, welders, confectioners and others. In rural areas processing of agricultural and dairy products is also relevant. Log-term trainings in this field resulted in the opening of mini-production facilities and teaching marketing of products. ATCs plan to update their training programmes, as well as introduce new occupations, which are in demand at the moment.
In September 2019, KAEA held a networking workshop with local administrations and government agencies in order raise public funds for its members and new cooperation partners. The aim of the workshop was to create a road map for ensuring financial sustainability of the organisation and its Centres, attracting and planning new resources. Further development plans of KAEA include a more closely partnership with local governments in training of adult educators in the local communities.
Galina Davletbayeva,
Coordinator of the NGO “Civil Union”, partner of KAEA
galina. bishkek@gmail
Tel.: 09965555935129