Demande directe (CEACR) - adoptée 2024, publiée 113ème session CIT (2025)

Convention (n° 142) sur la mise en valeur des ressources humaines, 1975 - Kirghizistan (Ratification: 1992)

Article 1 of the Convention. Formulation and implementation of education and training policies. The Committee refers to its comments on the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) and notes the Government's plan to adopt a new Education Development Strategy (EDS) for 2021–30 since the previous one expired in 2020. Concerning the latter, the Committee observes that according to the 2021 European Training Foundation report “Policies for Human Capital Development Kyrgyzstan/An ETF Torino Process Assessment” (ETF report), the new EDS will focus on the quality of education and digitalization of education (especially digital skills and creation of digital learning environments). The Committee further notes the information in the ETF report that the digitalization of education in Kyrgyzstan has received an unexpected boost since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and financial support from various donors and (international) organizations such as the EU, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and UN organizations. However, the Committee notes that the Government does not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this particular provision of the Convention. Therefore,the Committee reiterates its request to the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature, scope and impact of the policies and programmes adopted and implemented in relation to education and vocational training, and on their contribution to attaining the objectives of the Convention. It also reiterates the request of the Government to provide extracts of reports, studies, inquiries, statistical information, and other documents relevant to such policies and programmes. The Committee further reiterates its request to the Government to provide information on progress made in the development and adoption of the national education policy, the “Education Development Strategy for 2021–30”, and the “Strategic Plan for Technical and Vocational Education and Training for 2021–2025”; and to transmit copies if adopted.

Article 2. Development of the vocational training system (VTS). The Committee notes the information in the ETF report related to the implementation of various Government initiatives such as competency-based training, work-based learning, and modular training in order to tackle shortcomings in education and training. In addition, the Committee refers to the recommendation of the European Training Foundation, expressed in the ETF report, that the Government should launch a National Digital Skills Initiative for the next ten years in the context of its intention to make Kyrgyzstan a digital hub in the region and considering the low level of digital literacy among the population. The Committee also notes that in 2023 the Government of Kyrgyzstan has received a grant of US$2.26 million from the Government of Japan within the framework of a grant agreement between both countries and its main objective is the training of civil servants as a part of a Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme. The Committee observes however that the Government did not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this particular Article of the Convention. The Committee, therefore, reiterates the request to the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature, scope and impact of the measures taken or envisaged on the development of open, flexible, and complementary systems of general, technical, and vocational education, educational and vocational guidance, and vocational training.

National qualification system. The Government informs that a National Qualification Council was established in July 2021, according to Decision No. 78 of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Council includes representatives from government bodies, the private sector, and sectoral associations, and its competencies include the development, implementation and monitoring of proposals, as well as coordination of consultations at national and international levels on matters relating to the national qualification system. The Government also informs that a Concept of the National Qualification System and a Plan of Action for the implementation of the Concept for 2020-2021 were approved respectively by Decision No. 505 of 30 September 2019 and Government Decree No. 79-r of 16 March 2020. The Committee notes that the Concept defines the structure of the qualification system (national qualifications framework, professional standards, industry/sectoral qualifications framework, and qualification assessment system). In addition, the Committee notes that a National Qualification Framework (NQF) was approved in September 2020, and it defines a national qualifications framework, professional standards, industry/sectoral qualification frameworks and professional standards. The Committee further notes that the NQF is intended to be used by various stakeholders (State bodies, employers, enterprises, educational organizations, and citizens) and ensures intersectoral comparability of qualifications and skills. The NQF also contains a structural description of the requirements for personal and professional skills, competencies and abilities, and knowledge, the details of which are set out in the sectoral qualification framework and professional standards. In addition, the Government informs that the Methodology for developing a professional standard (MDPS) and the Methodology for developing a sectoral qualification framework (MDSQF) were approved in July 2021. The Committee notes in this respect that the MDPS describes the requirements for the qualitative performance of a specific type of professional or labour function. For its part, the MDSQF includes four procedures: (i) for organizing the development of a professional standard, (ii) for evaluating and approving a professional standard, (iii) for introducing a professional standard in an organization, and (iv) for developing a professional standard. In addition, the Government informs about the development of professional standards in accordance with the needs of the labour market. It further indicates its intention to integrate them into the vocational education system by developing educational programmes and plans based on approved professional standards. In view of the above, the Committee requests the Government to provide detailed information on the functioning of the National qualification system.

Women in employment and training. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this particular Article of the Convention. Therefore, the Committee refers to its comments on Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) and it reiterates the request to the Government to provide updated detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by sex, age and region, on the number of beneficiaries of vocational guidance and training programmes, the type of vocational training provided, and the impact of such training on women’s access to productive, stable and freely chosen employment. The Committee also reiterates the request to the Government to provide detailed updated information on measures taken to ensure equal access of girls and women to vocational guidance and training relevant to all economic sectors and at all levels of responsibility, and the impact of such measures on women’s ability to engage in the broadest possible range of economic activities, including in non-traditional occupations. Noting that some 65 per cent of women in Kyrgyzstan live in rural areas, the Committee further reiterates the request to the Government to provide detailed updated information on economic empowerment projects and employment support, including vocational and entrepreneurship training provided to women in rural areas.

Article 3. Information made available for vocational guidance purposes. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this particular Article of the Convention. The Committee, therefore, reiterates the request to the Government to provide information on specific measures that have been taken to ensure that comprehensive information and the broadest possible guidance are available to all children, young persons, and adults, including persons with disabilities. It also reiterates the request that the Government describe the type of information made available for vocational guidance and the manner in which such information is kept up to date and supply specimens of the documentation made available.

Article 4. Lifelong learning. The Committee notes that the Government’s report does not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this Article of the Convention. The Committee, therefore, reiterates the request to the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken to extend vocational training systems to cover sectors not previously within their scope, such as the informal economy, and to ensure that these systems are adapted to the changing needs of individuals throughout their working life, and also to the specific needs of those in the different branches of economic activity, in accordance with this provision of the Convention and the guidelines set out in the Human Resources Development Recommendation, 2004 (No. 195).

Article 5. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes the information that a trade union representative is a member of the Interdepartmental technical working group for the development of a Strategic plan for vocational–technical education in 2021–25, approved by an Order of the Ministry of Education and Science. The Committee notes however that the Government does not provide information in response to its previous comments on the application of this Article of the Convention. The Committee, therefore, reiterates the request to the Government to provide detailed information on the manner in which it ensures cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations as well as with other relevant bodies, in relation to the development and implementation of vocational guidance policies and programmes, including the development programme “Skills for Inclusive Growth” and the “Strategic Plan for Technical and Vocational Education and Training for 2021-2025”. The Government is also requested to indicate the nature, scope, and outcomes of this cooperation.