Starpath Learning
HardCompulsory ages: 6 to 16

Homeschooling in Mongolia

Grey area for homeschooling via informal and external education pathways.

Homeschooling in Mongolia is not explicitly regulated but permitted through informal education, external trainings, and distance programs as alternatives to formal schooling during the compulsory period. The governing framework is the Law on Education (Боловсролын тухай хууль), which recognizes both formal and informal education systems. Families typically use non-formal distance education sponsored by the government.

Quick Reference

School Days

-

No minimum

Hours Required

-

No minimum

Subjects

0

required

Notification

No

n/a

Key Requirements at a Glance

  • Compulsory general education is 12 years from age 6 to 17.
  • Formal education includes day/evening, extramural, and external trainings (Article 8.1).
  • Citizens have right and duty to general education, free of tuition fees (Article 6).
  • Informal education recognized alongside formal (Article 8.1).
  • MOECSS administers standards, licensing, and exams.
  • No explicit homeschooling ban or parent qualification requirements.
  • Local aimag offices organize education implementation.

Legal Framework

Mongolia's education framework rests on: (1) Constitution of Mongolia Article 16(7) (right to education and free basic schooling); (2) Education Law of Mongolia (2002, amended subsequently); (3) Law on Primary and Secondary Education (2002) — establishes the 12-year basic education structure as 6+3+3 (6 years primary + 3 years lower secondary + 3 years upper secondary), with general education starting at age 6 and graduates finishing around age 18; (4) Implementing decrees from the Ministry of Education and Science. Compulsory attendance applies for the first 9 years (ages 6-16); the upper-secondary years are universal but not strictly compulsory. The State operates non-formal distance education programmes specifically targeting nomadic pastoralist families (~30% of population) who face seasonal migration; herder children typically board at aimag-centre or soum-centre schools. Homeschooling is not provided for as a parental-choice pathway in the Education Law. Responsible authority: Ministry of Education and Science (Боловсрол, шинжлэх ухааны яам).

Filing Requirements

What to file

n/a

When

n/a

Where

n/a

How to submit

n/a

What to include

  • n/a

No specific notification requirements in legislation

How to Get Started

  1. 1

    Contact local aimag education office for guidance

  2. 2

    Access government distance programs

  3. 3

    Align with national standards

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Flexible for herders
  • Free general education
  • Low regulation

Cons

  • Potential local oversight
  • Exam uncertainties

Track Mongolia compliance with Starpath

Free portfolio and compliance tracker tailored to Mongolia's requirements. Log learning, track hours, and generate reports, all in one place.

Last updated: 2026-04-26 · MN homeschool law guide