Abstract
This article examines the current challenges and strategies of educational innovation management in secondary schools in Kazakhstan.Within the context of systemic modernization, the institutional factors, barriers, and conditions determining the effectiveness of integrating advanced pedagogical and digital technologies into the educational process are analyzed.The empirical basis of the research relies on a mixed-methods design: a quantitative survey of 116 school principals was conducted alongside qualitative case studies of six educational institutions with varying resource provisions.The study determined the professional readiness of school leaders for transformational changes: the majority of respondents (62%) demonstrated an intermediate level of readiness, highlighting a shortage of practical managerial competencies.It was revealed that effective educational innovation management is hindered by three key interrelated barriers: an acute lack of practical knowledge among the administration (92%), weak professional motivation of the teaching staff (84%), and a critical deficit of material and technical resources (80%).Based on the findings, evidence-based recommendations and targeted interventions are proposed to overcome the identified implementation gaps.Specifically, it is proposed to introduce modular leadership development programs for principals, develop adaptive financial incentive mechanisms for teachers, and ensure a more equitable distribution of infrastructural resources.These measures will foster a sustainable development ecosystem aligned with advanced international standards.The results hold significant practical implications for state educational policy and provide a fundamental methodological basis for the systemic scaling of innovations.