The importance of a well functioning education and training system for economic development and social cohesion has been recognised within the Kyrgyz Republic for many years. The Ministry of Education and Science and the VET Agency for Professional Technical Education under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Migration have invested considerable efforts in developing strategies for the development of a flexible and responsive education and training system.
ETF work in 2011 in Kyrgyzstan will focus on enhancing the relevance of Vocational Education and Training, including CVET for the labour market and social development of the country. The ETF will in particular provide support to national policy makers and other stakeholders in strengthening their use of evidence for policy prioritisation, development and monitoring. In this area of work, special emphasis will be put on the relevance of education and training provision for the labour market. Furthermore, as a result of discussions in the framework of the Torino Process 2010, ETF will initiate activities with its partners in the area of lifelong learning approaches with an initial focus in 2011 on adult learners and vulnerable groups, including the unemployed.
During 2011 the ETF will also provide support to the EU external policy instrument programming cycle and project implementation, as education reform, appears as focal sector for the Kyrgyz Republic within the DCI Indicative Programme 2011-2013.
In addition to the country activities, focusing on evidence-based policy making and lifelong learning approaches, the ETF will be active in Kyrgyzstan through the following two multi-country actions:
• The School Development Initiative (2009-2011), which involves Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, will focus in 2011 on capacity building opportunities for VET school teams and policy makers on effective and efficient school management, with a focus on quality and enhancing partnerships. Country project activities related to adult learners and vulnerable groups will complement this action. • Matching Vocational Education Supply and Labour Market Demand in Central Asia (2011-2012) involving also Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, will focus in 2011 on carrying out a transition survey from school to work in the Kyrgyz Republic and the provision of capacity building opportunities for stakeholders on carrying out such studies. Country project activities related to evidence-based policy making will complement this action.
ETF activities in 2011 are in line with the goals of the European Education Initiative for Central Asia.