Turkmenistan Sets New Rules for Mobile Devices in Schools

In 2020, Turkmenistan’s schools banned the use of mobile phones during classes. Now the government has introduced new rules regulating the use of portable devices in academic settings, seeking to use them as learning tools while addressing concerns about distraction and other potentially negative effects on students. A Ministry of Education order recognizes the value of mobile devices in education, saying they must provide access to learning resources, including multimedia content, and help students organize files that contain textbooks, courses, and other materials in electronic form. The devices must improve “the quality of educational management, especially in educational systems that do not have access to an internet connection,” the order says. However, the ministry order urges educational institutions to be aware of “the potential harm to students' health of small-screen mobile devices that limit the types and amounts of information,” the need to provide storage for mobile devices and the fact that bandwidth capacity decreases when a lot of users connect to the wireless network. It also mandates “ethical rules” that are designed to avoid disruption – setting devices to “silent” or “flight” mode and barring video, photo or audio recordings of students and teaching staff without their permission. The ministry issued the order on May 19 and the Ministry of Justice registered it in early June. In a report in March, UNESCO said that global monitoring showed that 114 education systems had a national ban on mobile phones in schools, representing 58% of countries worldwide. That was a significant increase over 40% in 2025 and just 24% in 2023, according to the U.N. cultural agency. “The growth reflects mounting concerns about declining attention in classrooms, cyberbullying, and the broader influence of digital environments on children,” UNESCO said. But it noted that the global picture was nuanced, with not all countries opting for full bans and instead establishing policies that govern the use of mobile devices in schools. The agency said that the various approaches to mobile device usage in schools show that “countries are still searching for the right balance between limiting distraction and teaching responsible technology use.” Turkmenistan’s new order applies to smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices, and comes amid wider school digitalization efforts. The country maintains tight controls over internet access and online content.

UK-Based Really English Partners with Tajikistan’s Education Ministry

Tajikistan is deepening its educational cooperation with the United Kingdom through a new agreement between the Ministry of Education and Science and British digital learning firm Really English. The partnership aims to roll out English language and digital education programs across Tajikistan’s universities. First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Homid Khoshimzoda, held talks in Dushanbe with Nigel Killick, head of Really English, to define the cooperation framework. The two sides explored ways to broaden English instruction, adopt modern pedagogical methods, and deploy innovative digital learning tools. Khoshimzoda welcomed the British initiative, saying that English proficiency remains a top priority in Tajikistan’s educational policy as it broadens students’ access to global academic and professional opportunities. Killick thanked the ministry for its support and affirmed Really English’s commitment to designing interactive English courses, boosting teacher training, and building university partnerships in Tajikistan. Founded in London in 1999, Really English creates digital tools for learning English—from foundational courses to test preparation. The company works with more than 1,000 corporate clients and over 300 educational institutions worldwide, offering academic, business, and conversational English courses, as well as tailored university programs. Advancing Tajik-British Educational Cooperation The agreement marks another milestone in Tajikistan’s broader push to internationalize its education system. In recent years, Dushanbe has actively built academic partnerships with British institutions. On May 31, representatives of the State Agency “Center for International Programs” met with officials from the University of Greenwich to discuss Tajik students’ access to international programs, scholarships, and internships, particularly in economics, finance, and management. British university representatives reaffirmed their support for joint initiatives and expressed readiness to expand academic exchanges and scholarship offerings for Tajik students. British Support for Innovation and Teacher Development The UK has increased its educational engagement across Central Asia in recent years. In 2022, the British Council resumed operations in Tajikistan with a focus on improving teacher training and English language instruction. Joint initiatives with the Ministry of Education and Science have helped modernize curricula and expand STEM and digital education. With UK support, robotics and programming courses have been introduced for schoolchildren, and Tajik universities, including the Tajik National University (TNU), have launched partnerships with British institutions such as the University of Central Lancashire. The UK is also strengthening educational cooperation in other Central Asian states. In Turkmenistan, British experts are working on teacher training and curriculum development, and Chevening Scholarships continue to be available to Turkmen students. In May 2025, Turkmenistan participated in the World Education Forum in London, where global education trends were discussed.