Disability and homeschooling: Parents experiences in Kazakhstan

• Published in: Children & society 2024-03, Vol.38 (2), p.436-455
• Main Authors: Mukashev, Kairat, Somerton, Michelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative approaches; Capital; Case studies; Central Asia; Children; Children with disabilities; Disability studies; Home education; home schooling; Kazakhstan; Medical diagnosis; Needs; parents; Parents & parenting; Social isolation; Social skills; Special education; Special needs children; Teachers
• ISSN: 0951-0605; 1099-0860
• DOI: 10.1111/chso.12713

There are several special education provisions for children with disabilities in Kazakhstan, including home education which is characterized as an alternative model of education to mainstream and private educational organizations. Hence, parents become the central figure in managing the home education process as the meeting special needs of children depends on their knowledge and experience. The present study explores parents’ experiences in home educating a child with special needs in one town outside the capital city of Nursultan. The data was collected through face‐to‐face interviews with six parents in a qualitative multiple case study design. The findings highlight the way the diagnosis of a child’s special needs impacts the psychological, social and financial dimensions of parents’ life. Moreover, the findings of the present study illustrate some of the challenges and opportunities parents experience in home‐educating their children. These include teachers’ specialised knowledge and skills, social isolation, involvement in school activities, and the provision of educational resources for home education.