Формальды емес білім беру мәселесі бойынша ағымдағы зерттеулердің талдауы

Abstract

This article explores the key avenues for expanding non-formal learning and increasing access to education amid rapid economic and technological change. The topic’s relevance stems from society’s growing demand for flexible educational formats that keep pace with evolving requirements and from the necessity of lifelong learning. The article aims to propose effective ways to develop and integrate non-formal learning into the education system by analysing its theoretical foundations, international best practices, and the current situation in Kazakhstan. The study employed several methods: an examination of Kazakhstan’s regulatory and legal acts and relevant international documents; a review of scholarly publications indexed on the Web of Science and Scopus platforms; and comparative as well as systematic-comprehensive analyses. The findings identify three principal challenges for non-formal learning in Kazakhstan: insufficient funding, the absence of a learning-outcome recognition system, and the need to update the regulatory framework. Successful international practices—such as the qualifications recognition systems implemented in South Korea, Australia, and Sweden—were also investigated. To enhance the article’s value, it offers a general overview of quantitative trends, including the rising number of participants in non-formal learning and the growth of online platforms. The crucial role of distance education and online platforms in broadening access and improving quality is emphasised. These research results can serve as a basis for refining policies on non-formal learning in Kazakhstan and for developing strategies and programmes that make education accessible to everyone.