The publication “Access to education for children of migrants in the Aktobe region of Kazakhstan: recommendations for the evidence-based decision making (policy brief) ” was prepared by Zhanna Sagyndykova with the support of the IWPR Representative Office in Central Asia and the regional analytical platform CABAR.asia.
For citation and references to the material, please indicate: Zhanna Sagyndykova, Access to education for children of migrants in the Aktobe region of Kazakhstan: recommendations for the evidence-based decision making (policy brief) 2026, CABAR.asia.
The primary objective of the study is to foster greater social integration and equal opportunities for all migrant children and, ultimately, to resolve the issue of school enrollment for all children of foreign nationals—regardless of their parents’ migration status—in accordance with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Kazakhstan in 1994.
The publication notes that migrant children frequently face social isolation and discrimination within educational institutions. A lack of adequate social support and inclusive programs exacerbates challenges related to adaptation and academic success. The publication highlights that, following a project workshop titled “Planning an Advocacy Campaign Based on Existing Policy Briefs/White Papers,” a decision was made to adopt targeted engagement with government agencies as the primary advocacy method; this entails submitting direct inquiries to the relevant state bodies. The author proposes a series of specific recommendations for relevant agencies. In particular, Sagyndykova suggests amending the regulations governing education for the children of foreign nationals to eliminate legal conflicts and gaps, and proposes considering measures for their temporary registration and the granting of residence permits alongside their parents. It is also proposed that parents of foreign children be granted the right to choose their children’s school—a right they currently lack. Sagyndykova further argues that the term “labor migrants” needs to be clearly defined in legislation. Regional and district education departments are advised to ensure their specialists are promptly informed of any changes to bylaws concerning migrant children. Additionally, they are encouraged to develop measures to support migrant children during the adaptation process, as well as methods to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures.
‘This publication was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of IWPR and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.