Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyzstan Proposes Ban on Cell Phones in Schools and Universities

Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Education and Science has proposed a draft decree to restrict the use of cell phones in the country's educational institutions. The initiative, currently open for public discussion, aims to enhance the educational and social environment and shield students from the adverse effects of excessive technology use. Under the proposed regulations, students and staff must switch their phones to silent mode upon entering the premises. Students are encouraged to turn off their devices and store them in designated classrooms. Phones would only be permitted during breaks or in emergencies. The decree also prohibits charging devices within educational institutions. The draft includes strict measures against misuse. It bans distributing materials depicting violence, cruelty, or pornography via mobile devices and forbids actions that could harm an institution’s reputation. Unauthorized photography and videography would also be prohibited. Special guidelines apply to educators, who would be barred from using phones during lessons unless directly related to educational purposes. The ministry emphasized that the proposed rules are designed to protect students’ health, curb bullying, and combat the spread of harmful content. Several countries in the post-Soviet space and beyond have implemented similar restrictions on cell phone use in schools. In Russia, as of December 19, 2023, students are prohibited from using mobile devices during lessons except in emergencies involving life or health threats. Azerbaijan and Tajikistan have enacted comparable bans to enhance student focus and educational quality. Globally, France has prohibited cell phone use for students aged 3 to 15 since September 2018 to reduce distractions and improve academic discipline. The Netherlands introduced a smartphone ban in schools at the start of 2024, citing benefits such as better academic performance and reduced student anxiety. UNESCO recommended in July 2023 that schools worldwide adopt smartphone bans to improve academic performance and minimize classroom distractions. Proponents of such measures argue that they increase student concentration, improve education quality, and mitigate the impact of digital devices on children’s mental health.

Digital Technologies Education Science Artificial intelligence University

Redefining Work and Innovation: The Impact of AI and Its Rise in Kazakhstan

Will artificial intelligence be able to replace humans? What professions will disappear in the future, and will mankind face an “aggressive” neural network? Aigerim Abdenbayeva, head of educational programs at the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University (NU), answers these questions and discusses how AI is developing in Kazakhstan. TCA: Most people have heard the term “artificial intelligence” in one way or another, but only a small proportion know about the practical possibilities of AI. In your view, what is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence can be characterized as the ability of machines to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. This includes recognizing images, understanding language, making decisions, and solving complex problems. In everyday life, we encounter AI in many different forms, from voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to recommendations on streaming platforms like Netflix, which suggests movies based on your preferences. The term “artificial intelligence” was coined in 1956 by American scientist John McCarthy, who is considered one of the field's founders. Although the concept of AI was proposed more than half a century ago, its modern form only began to develop in the 1980s, when so-called expert systems emerged. These systems used rules and knowledge bases to solve specific problems, such as disease diagnosis or financial forecasting. Since then, AI has gone through several stages of development. The 2010s saw a significant breakthrough with the emergence of deep learning and big data technologies. Based on neural networks, deep learning has allowed computers to process and analyze vast amounts of information, dramatically improving their ability to recognize patterns and understand speech. This progress has made AI more accessible to a broader audience and has become an integral part of our daily lives. Several trends in the field of artificial intelligence can be distinguished: "Narrow AI" is a specialized system for specific tasks. For example, algorithms are used to recognize faces or diagnose diseases. They outperform humans in a narrow domain, but cannot perform functions outside their specialization. “General AI” involves creating machines that can perform any intellectual task at a level comparable to humans. General AI remains a theoretical concept and has not been achieved in reality. "Generative AI" is a field that deals with creating new data based on existing data. Examples include generating text, images, and music. Algorithms such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) can create text that looks like a human wrote it, and they are already being used extensively in various applications. Generative AI, in particular, has become popular due to its ability to make human life more manageable. For example, platforms like ChatGPT can help with writing articles, creating content for social media, and automating routine tasks, saving users a lot of time and effort. Other AI applications have already become part of our daily lives. For example, in medicine, AI is used to analyze medical images, which helps doctors in diagnosis and treatment selection. In finance, AI helps analyze market data and predict trends, allowing investors...

Education Elementary School Defense Social

Uzbekistan to Create ‘Schools of Courage’ for Pre-Conscription Training

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on November 15 to enhance the system of initial pre-conscription training for young citizens. As a result, one “school of courage” will be established at a school in each district and city of the country. The primary objective of these schools is to instill patriotism, physical fitness, and spiritual growth in the younger generation. Students will receive advanced instruction in mathematics, history, physical education, foreign languages, physics, and initial pre-conscription training (IPT). Selection for the “schools of courage” will begin from the fifth grade. These schools will feature an expanded curriculum, including robotics, medical training, legal literacy, and national sports. Practical training will be conducted biannually at military ranges and quarterly at military units. Higher military and paramilitary educational institutions will oversee the schools, providing educational and methodological support. In other schools across the country, pre-conscription training will be taught for two hours weekly, with an additional hour for grades 10–11. Starting June 1, 2025, the position of deputy director for patriotic education will be discontinued, with its responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Defense. In its place, a new position—head of IPT—will focus on military and patriotic training for schoolchildren. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance patriotic education, as discussed in a recent presidential meeting. It is envisioned that the “schools of courage” will play a vital role in the national education system, fostering loyal and well-rounded citizens.

Education English Language Teachers Language Teaching Elementary School High education

Turkmenistan Unveils New English Textbook for 11th Grade Students

A new English language textbook for 11th-grade students has been introduced in Turkmenistan’s general education schools. According to the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the textbook incorporates modern didactic principles and advanced teaching methods to enhance students' reading, writing, and speaking skills. It aligns with the national curriculum, providing students with improved opportunities to communicate effectively in English. The release of this textbook is part of Turkmenistan’s broader effort to modernize its education system. A key component of this effort is the Concept for Improving Foreign Language Education in Turkmenistan, a policy focused on integrating language learning at all educational stages. Drawing on both domestic and international best practices, the policy aims to elevate language instruction across the country. English language teaching in Turkmenistan has seen significant progress: • In January 2024, the first TESOL conference brought together 250 educators to exchange experiences and explore innovative teaching techniques. • In August 2024, the U.S. Embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, conducted workshops to enhance the professional skills of English teachers. • In November 2024, Turkmenistan and the UK held discussions on strengthening educational cooperation and improved educational services. Turkmenistan’s focus on advancing English language education reflects its commitment to integrating into the global educational framework and fostering international collaboration. These initiatives aim to equip students and educators with the tools needed to engage in a globalized world.

Language Teaching Languages Education UK English Language Teachers

Turkmenistan and UK Strengthen Cooperation in Education

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan hosted a meeting between Deputy Minister Azat Ataev and Sarah Chidgey, Regional Export Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, to discuss prospects for educational cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UK. Ms. Chidgey shared insights into the UK's experience in delivering quality education, citing successful examples in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where British universities, such as the University of Westminster, have actively sought to expand partnerships. During the meeting, the participants explored opportunities for British universities to offer educational services in Turkmenistan, including the accreditation of academic institutions to enhance secondary and higher education. Chidgey announced plans to hold the Turkmen-British Trade and Industry Council early next year, with educational cooperation set to be a key topic. The British delegation also expressed its readiness for more in-depth discussions at the World Education Forum, held annually in London. Ataev expressed interest in implementing the proposed initiatives and supported organizing webinars for Turkmen specialists. These webinars will focus on introducing Turkmen specialists to British educational standards and accreditation procedures and enhancing education quality. He emphasized that particular attention would be given to studying critical aspects of the British educational system to facilitate their successful adaptation and implementation in Turkmenistan. Both sides expressed confidence that this partnership would contribute to developing Turkmenistan's education system and creating new opportunities for students and teachers. In the long term, it is expected to support their integration into the global educational community. Great Britain actively cooperates with Central Asian countries in the field of education: Kazakhstan has the Kazakh-British Technical University, founded in 2001, which offers programs in partnership with British universities, and British universities are opening branches in Uzbekistan, giving local students access to British education. The British Council also runs the region's English language training and teacher development programs. In 2024, the British Foreign Secretary announced a new initiative to promote English in Central Asia by giving teachers access to online resources with local content.

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.