Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov has publicly defended the role of the Russian language in the country’s education system, stating that fluency in Russian should become standard for all schoolchildren.
Speaking to journalists in Bishkek, Baisalov rejected recent calls by members of parliament and the National Commission on the State Language to translate all scientific literature into Kyrgyz. He argued that access to educational and methodological materials in Russian and English broadens Kyrgyzstan’s academic and scientific opportunities.
“It is important for us that every schoolchild knows Russian. This is necessary not only for internal communication, but also for access to global science, culture, and interaction with the outside world,” Baisalov said. “Of course, we will develop other languages as well, English, Chinese, Arabic, and Turkish. The more languages young people know, the better they will feel in the modern world.”
His comments come amid a controversial push by the National Commission on the State Language to mandate Kyrgyz as the sole language of instruction at universities and impose fines on professionals, including civil servants, judges, lawyers, and teachers, who do not know Kyrgyz. A bill to this effect is currently under public review.
Melis Murataliyev, head of the Commission, has cited the low level of Kyrgyz proficiency among civil servants as a major issue, pointing to frequent errors in official documents. The Commission claims that 70-80% of Kyrgyzstan’s universities currently use Russian as the primary language of instruction, a situation it argues must change.
However, the proposals have drawn widespread criticism from the public and lawmakers. Some members of parliament have urged a more balanced approach.
While Murataliyev has proposed revising legislation related to the status of Russian as an official language, Baisalov assured that the government has no intention of doing so.
