Institutional transformation of the children’s after-sсhool sector in post-Soviet countries

Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. 2026. Vol. 56. No. 1. P. 69–86.

Ivanov I.

This study examines the institutional transformation of extracurricular education systems across the 15 former Soviet republics using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA).​ Drawing on national statistics, policy documents, and expert interviews, the research identifies three distinct transformation scenarios: reproduction, modernisation, and degeneration. The analysis reveals varying degrees of change, from low-level transformation in countries maintaining significant state involvement to high-level transformation where the sector has undergone substantial restructuring. The study employs a composite index to quantify institutional change and explores key parameters such as coverage, accessibility, and legislative frameworks. While highlighting the persistence of Soviet legacy in some nations, the research also demonstrates the dynamic nature of these transformations, with some countries transitioning between scenarios. This comparative approach provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of extracurricular education in post-Soviet space.

Keywords: образовательная политика, постсоветское пространство, институциональные изменения, post-Soviet space, институциональная трансформация, institutional change, children’s extracurricular education, institutional transformation, children’s after-school time, educational policies, внешкольное образование детей, внешкольное время детей

Publication based on the results of: Comparative analysis of the impact of social, economic and educational reforms implemented in the post-Soviet countries on the situation with educational inequality in general and extracurricular education of children (2023)