“We have stolen our kids’ childhood”: parents’ and teachers’ perspectives on shadow education in Kazakhstan
Sarmurzin Y. Ospanova B. Kerimbekova B. Dauletkulova A. Amanova A.
2026Springer Science and Business Media B.V.
Asia Pacific Education Review
2026
Private Supplementary Tutoring (PST), often called “shadow education,” is an expanding field in Kazakhstan. Market reforms and competition from standardized high-stakes exams have increased demand for tutoring services. Although the global phenomenon of PST has been extensively studied with a focus on its prevalence and effects, the voices of parents and teachers in Central Asia are yet to be heard. This qualitative narrative study examined the experiences and perceptions of 25 teachers and 12 parents regarding PST and its roles, benefits, and costs. Parents consider tutoring a kind of investment in their children’s academic success in addressing public school failures and home study time limitations. On the other hand, teachers who have tutoring work mostly for extra income but feel job insecurity, professional disregard, and a lack of support. This “shadow” system relieves but also reproduces educational inequality, raising critical questions regarding the role of public policy, teacher professionalization and regulations, and equity. This study contributes to the global discussion on the privatization and commercialization of public services and the inherent conflicts between public and market logic.
Central Asia , Kazakhstan , Private supplementary tutoring , Secondary education , Shadow education
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Karaganda Buketov National Research University, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Shakarim University, Glinki Str. 20А, Semey city, Kazakhstan
SDU University, Kaskelen, Kazakhstan
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Karaganda Buketov National Research University
Shakarim University
SDU University
L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026