Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyzstan Proposes Discounted Education to Those Who Have Served in the Army

A draft law has been submitted for public discussion in Kyrgyzstan that would give citizens who have completed military service the right to preferential admission to primary, secondary, and higher education institutions, and a 50% discount on tuition fees. The document is published on the Jogorku Kenesh website. The authors note that this project recognizes military personnel's contribution to national security, and facilitates their successful adaptation to civilian life. The bill emphasizes that the educational benefits will help former soldiers make up for the time they could have spent on their studies. In addition, the proposed measures are seen as an incentive for young people to enlist in the military, which, according to the authors, will increase the overall level of professionalism of soldiers. After completing their service, many soldiers struggle to integrate into civilian life. The tuition discount will help them gain the necessary skills for successful employment, which will, in turn, positively impact the qualifications of the country's workforce. Similar laws on educational benefits for veterans are in place in several countries. The U.S. has a "GI Bill" program that assists veterans in paying university tuition and job training. The Philippines also provides benefits for veterans, including health care. In the U.K., veterans can receive discounts on tuition fees at several universities, especially in specialized programs. Post-Soviet countries also have laws to provide educational benefits for those who have served in the military—for example, Russia's program discounts university tuition for veterans and military personnel. Kazakhstan also benefits military personnel through tuition discounts and other educational opportunities. Moldova continues to improve its education legislation, and certain changes include support for veterans and their access to educational resources.

Education Central Asia Uzbekistan International Affairs Local Politics Uzbekistan International Affairs Uzbekistan Local Politics

American Educators to Teach English in Uzbekistan

Twenty English language teachers from the United States have arrived in Uzbekistan to begin teaching and professional development programs across the country. The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent reported that they will join local teachers to provide direct classroom instruction to students. The twenty American teachers will support English language teaching within ten different regions of Uzbekistan for the 2024-2025 academic year. According to the Embassy, these teachers are just part of the U.S. Government’s vast commitment to strengthening English language education in Uzbekistan, which includes training more than 18,000 English teachers nationwide. Since 2018, the U.S. Government has invested over $31.2 million in English language teaching and learning in Uzbekistan. The U.S. Embassy has partnered with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovations to support Uzbekistan’s education reforms and to ensure that graduates are equipped with the linguistic and professional skills needed to support Uzbekistan’s economy. Since 2019, 98 American English teachers have worked at 21 public schools and more than 30 universities across Uzbekistan.

Cultural Heritage Education Central Asia Uzbekistan Life & Culture International Affairs Uzbekistan Life & Culture Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan Joins ICCROM as 138th Member for Cultural Heritage Preservation

Uzbekistan has become the 138th member state of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), an intergovernmental organization that serves its member states by promoting the conservation of all forms of cultural heritage, the institution's website has reported. “Uzbekistan is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historical centers of Bukhara and Shakhrishabz, renowned for their exceptional Timurid monuments; the unique urban compositions of Itchan Kala in the inner fortress of Khiva; and the historic city of Samarkand," the report from ICCROM states. "The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor of the Silk Roads and the Cold Winter Deserts of Turan, both transnational sites, illustrate Uzbekistan’s strategic role in ancient trade routes and showcase a diverse and resilient natural landscape across Central Asia. Additionally, Uzbekistan’s intangible heritage, expressed through traditional knowledge, crafts, and ways of life, further illustrates its invaluable historical contributions." “Uzbekistan’s membership will not only strengthen relationships with institutions in Uzbekistan, but will also allow us to have a greater impact on the ground in the whole of Central Asia,” ICCROM’s Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, stated. “Together, we can ensure that Uzbekistan’s invaluable heritage is maintained and celebrated, propelling longer-term sustainability for our people, communities, and planet. Investing in capacity building is the most effective way to conserve our heritage today while ensuring an enduring legacy for future generations. Engaging youth in cultural conservation, preservation, and celebration ensures the transmission of knowledge and inspires creative approaches to conservation linked to sustainable development,” Gujral emphasized.

Education Central Asia Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Local Politics

Russia Donates School Buses for Remote Regions of Kyrgyzstan

A Russian non-profit organization, Eurasia, has given 50 school buses to secondary schools in remote areas of Kyrgyzstan. The handover ceremony was held on September 2 in Bishkek. It was attended by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Boris Chernyshov, and State Duma deputy and chairperson of Eurasia, Alena Arshinova. At the ceremony, Japarov lauded the long-lasting, strong partnership relations between Kyrgyzstan and Russia and highly appreciated “the contribution that our Russian colleagues make to the development of Kyrgyzstan’s educational sphere.” The head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers emphasized that in 2023, Kyrgyzstan built 105 secondary schools, compared to 15 schools constructed in 2010. He added that during this period, the number of schoolchildren in the country increased by almost half a million. At a meeting with Chernyshov and Arshinova on the same day, Japarov noted that Kyrgyzstan has begun implementing large-scale educational projects with Russia in recent years, such as the construction of nine secondary schools in all regions of Kyrgyzstan through Russian funding, construction of new campus of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University in Bishkek and a branch of Moscow State University in the city of Karakol, as well as a program in which teachers from Russia teach in rural schools across Kyrgyzstan.

Education Central Asia Kazakhstan Local Politics Local Politics Kazakhstan

First ‘Comfortable’ Schools Open in Kazakhstan

On September 1, over 3.9 million pupils returned or newly enrolled in secondary schools across Kazakhstan. The date also marked the opening of seventy new schools in the country, including several built as part of the nationwide project ‘Comfortable School.’ Speaking at the opening of one such school in the capital, Astana, Kazakh Minister of Education Gani Beisembayev announced that almost 90,000 schoolchildren are starting the new academic year in brand new schools, and over 200,000 pupils will study in schools that have undergone significant repairs. Initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the national project ‘Comfortable School’ aims to solve the shortage of student places and level the difference in the quality of education between rural and urban areas. Aimed to improve the educational environment, the new schools provide separate blocks for elementary and high school students, technology for teaching contemporary subjects, specially equipped classrooms to ensure pupils' safety, and a barrier-free environment for children with special educational needs. Kazakhstan plans to build 369 ‘Comfortable’ secondary schools by 2026, accommodating 740,000 pupils; 217 schools of which will be built in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Education Central Asia Tajikistan Life & Culture Tajikistan Local Politics Tajikistan Local Politics

Tajikistan to Launch Foreign Language TV Channel

On September 1, in a speech dedicated to "Knowledge Day,' Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon ordered the creation of a TV channel specializing in teaching children foreign languages. In his emphasis on the the need for a comprehensive approach to children's development, the president highlighted the importance of studying sciences, crafts, moral values, modern technologies, and mastering foreign languages. With regard to the latter, special attention will be paid to Russian and English, as well as other foreign languages, to better prepare young people for the modern challenges and demands of both domestic and foreign labor markets. The President also noted the importance of adapting educational programs to meet the current and future needs of these markets. The creation of a TV channel dedicated to teaching foreign languages is part of a broader government strategy to improve the country's educational standards and integration into the global community. Several languages are spoken in Tajikistan. Tajik (a form of Persian) is recognized as the official language, while Russian is recognized as an interethnic language. Uzbek is the third most commonly spoken language and minority languages include Kyrgyz, Yagnob, Parya, and various forms of Pamiri. The most popular foreign languages amongst students include English and Chinese.