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Turkmenistan Implements Gender-Sensitive Pedagogy in Education

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has introduced new training materials on gender-sensitive pedagogy. The initiative aims to foster an inclusive educational environment that addresses the individual needs of children while enhancing the skills of professionals in education, healthcare, and social protection. The materials are tailored for teachers, parents, and students, focusing on promoting gender-sensitive approaches in schools, kindergartens, and family settings. By equipping professionals with tools and strategies for inclusive practices, the program seeks to create a fair and equitable educational system for all children. An orientation session for professionals working with children and families was recently held in Ashgabat. The event highlighted methodologies for integrating gender mainstreaming into education, with participants from educational institutions exploring new approaches and discussing their practical application. Alexandru Nartea, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Turkmenistan, underscored the significance of this initiative. “Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into the educational system is a vital step toward establishing a supportive environment that meets the needs of every child,” Nartea said. He added that the effort not only empowers educators but also helps shape societal values rooted in equality and inclusion.

AI Schools Digital Service Children Parliament Legislation Education

Kazakhstan Considers Restrictions on AI Use by Students

Kazakh Member of Parliament Magerram Magerramov has proposed limiting the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools by schoolchildren. According to Magerramov, these technologies can complete school assignments, write essays, and summarize texts, which undermines students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “We risk raising a generation that cannot make quick decisions in complex situations. This threatens the intellectual potential of the country,” the MP warned. Magerramov highlighted global efforts to regulate artificial intelligence as potential models. The European Parliament recently passed legislation to control AI usage, while Australia and some U.S. states have implemented age restrictions for social networks. “Digital technologies should foster development, not hinder it. Thoughtful regulation is essential,” he stated, urging limits on generative AI in schools to mitigate negative impacts. Globally, nations are grappling with the integration of AI in education. UNESCO has called on governments to train teachers in the responsible use of generative AI and issued guidelines for its application in schools. In China, strict internet censorship laws limit access to ChatGPT, effectively restricting its use in education. Meanwhile, Russia is exploring pedagogical, linguistic, and psychological frameworks for regulating AI in higher education. In Australia and parts of the U.S., age restrictions on social media may indirectly influence students’ access to AI tools.

Elementary School Children Education

Uzbek Teacher Receives 1 Billion UZS for Students’ Olympiad Victories

Tashkent chemistry teacher Mokhira Boltayeva has earned approximately UZS 1 billion ($78,000) in bonuses over the past three years for her students' successes in various Olympiads. Boltayeva, who is only 23, teaches at the Abu Ali ibn Sino Specialized School and has garnered significant recognition for her effective preparation methods, which she shares with talented students. Her first major award was a silver medal at the 2019 International Chemistry Olympiad. This year marked a new milestone for Boltayeva, with three students winning medals at the International Chemistry Olympiad and five more excelling in regional contests. At a recent awards ceremony, she received her largest prize to date: 378 million UZS ($29,000). Her total earnings were 350 million UZS in 2023 and 250 million UZS in 2022. In 2024, Uzbek students achieved a record-breaking 122 medals at international and regional Olympiads, a historic achievement celebrated by the authorities, who allocated UZS 9 billion ($700,000) to support students and teachers. In Uzbekistan, Olympiad winners now receive significant cash awards. Gold medalists are awarded 187.5 million UZS ($14,500), while their teachers receive 168.75 million UZS ($13,000). Silver and bronze medalists, along with their teachers, also receive financial rewards, alongside perks such as university admissions with state grants, a 200% salary increase, and an elevated professional qualification.

Criminal Responsibility Children Legislation Russia Education

GTA and Counter-Strike Banned in Tajikistan

Residents of Tajikistan have been ordered to refrain from playing popular computer games such as Grand Theft Auto and Counter-Strike, and owners of computer game clubs have been banned from distributing them. According to information published by the Dushanbe police press service on Telegram, these games can influence young people and make them more prone to criminal behavior. “According to the results of the historical and cultural expertise of the Tajik Ministry of Culture, the games Counter-Strike and Grand Theft Auto contain scenes of violence, murder, and robbery,” police said. Game club owners and parents of children were told to comply with national laws prohibiting violent and unethical video games, and said raids would be conducted at game clubs to detect violations. A similar initiative has been discussed in Russia. In 2022, the State Duma proposed banning video games containing violent scenes, pornography, and profanity. Counter-Strike is a multiplayer shooter in which teams of special forces and terrorists perform missions to rescue hostages, clear bombs, or protect VIPs. Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is an adventure game in which the player performs missions in fictional American cities, participating in criminal activities, driving vehicles, and committing robberies to advance the story.

Education Legislation Parliament Children

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Curb Rising Teen Interest in Quadrobics

Concern is growing in Kyrgyzstan over teenagers' interest in quadrobics, a movement where people move on all fours and imitate animals. At a Zhogorku Kenesh meeting, MP Dastan Bekeshev raised the issue with cabinet spokesman Almasbek Abytov. Bekeshev suggested that the Ministry of Education and Science organize explanatory activities in schools to inform about the risks of quadrobics. “Some schoolchildren are already doing quadrobics, imitating the behavior of animals. So far, it has not become a mass problem, but preventive measures are necessary,” the deputy emphasized. Quadrobics involves moving on all fours and imitating animals, including using masks and tails to portray foxes, wolves, and other animals. This movement has already been noticed in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine. Recently, cases of such behavior have been registered in Tashkent. On October 10, a teenager wearing an animal mask frightened passers-by, and the next day, another quadrober imitating a dog attacked passengers on public transport, leaving a child visibly frightened. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia wrote that Uzbekistan is already taking steps to control this subculture. In particular, parents are being warned of fines for inappropriate behavior by teenagers in the quadrobika subculture. The Interior Ministry has stated that failure to fulfill parental duties will be punishable, as parents are responsible for educating their children to respect social norms and preventing inappropriate behavior. Russia has also raised the issue of the administrative responsibility of parents who do not follow the upbringing of their children who are addicted to quadrobika. The issue has not yet been resolved, but the request to the State Duma spoke of a fine and criminal liability for the violation. In addition, Gennady Shkil, a priest of the Russian Orthodox Church, suggested in a sermon that parents of quadrobers should be deprived of parental rights. He believes one cannot do this without “tough measures” as it is “for the salvation of mankind.”

Violence Children Domestic Violence Children Rights Crime Legislation

In Uzbekistan, Perpetrators of Domestic Violence Against Children Face Tougher Penalties

Uzbekistan has toughened liability for physical abuse of children within the family, actions which can now result in more stringent criminal penalties. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed relevant amendments to the legislation, which came into force after being officially published on the website of the national legislation base. The amendments affect the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Responsibility, introducing stricter sanctions for domestic violence against children. Child abuse is punishable by fines ranging from $590 to $885, or imprisonment of two to three years. In cases of violence against more than one child, the punishment becomes more severe, with perpetrators facing three to five years in prison. The legislative changes were approved by Parliament in July 2024 and approved by the Senate in September. These measures come as a reaction to increasing cases of child abuse in Uzbekistan. Recently, a woman in Bukhara beat her underage daughters, and a resident of the Shafirkon district was sentenced to three years in prison for abusing her child. Another high-profile case occurred in the Toylok district of Samarkand province, where a man was accused of beating his six-year-old stepson. These cases have attracted significant public attention, prompting the authorities to strengthen legislative measures to protect children from violence perpetrated within family units.