The Kyrgyz government is taking steps to simplify the licensing process for private schools in response to a growing shortage of student places in the country’s public education system, particularly in urban centers such as Bishkek and Osh.
On August 4, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliyev announced a reform initiative aimed at easing regulatory requirements for licensing private institutions offering primary education. The goal, he stated, is to expand access to quality education and alleviate pressure on the overburdened public school network.
Kasymaliyev noted that rapid population growth has led to severe overcrowding in schools in major cities, where students are often taught in three shifts instead of the standard two, negatively affecting learning outcomes.
“Addressing the shortage of school places is a key priority for the government,” Kasymaliyev said. While new public schools are under construction, he emphasized that the private sector plays an important role in meeting rising demand.
Kyrgyzstan currently has 219 private schools, with 108 located in Bishkek and 54 in Osh. In 2024, 33 licenses were issued to private education providers, and 21 more have been granted since the beginning of 2025.
“We see strong interest from the private sector in the education field, particularly in large cities,” Kasymaliyev said. “Creating real opportunities for opening high-quality private schools is one of our tasks.”
The reform is part of a broader initiative to improve educational access and quality amid demographic expansion and urbanization.
Class sizes in Bishkek far exceed recommended limits, according to educators. “The average class size in Bishkek is 36 to 45 students, while the sanitary norm is up to 35,” a deputy director of a public school in the capital told The Times of Central Asia. “In some popular schools, the number exceeds 50.”
