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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.

internal affairs Human rights Education Regulation Local politics Schools

Turkmenistan Bans Students from Celebrating New Year’s Eve

Authorities in Turkmenistan have imposed strict measures preventing students and schoolchildren from celebrating New Year’s Eve, requiring them to sign written pledges to abstain from festivities. Students are prohibited from hosting or attending parties at home or in cafes and are barred from being outdoors during the celebration. “Students have been forced to write forms stating they will not celebrate New Year’s Eve and will return to their dormitories after attending official events,” a source revealed. Violations of the ban are met with threats of expulsion. According to reports, older students in previous years were expelled for secretly hosting parties, serving as a warning to others. Similar restrictions are being enforced in schools across Ashgabat, where festive parties have been banned following an order from the Ministry of Education. Teachers have been instructed to ensure compliance with these regulations. Paradoxically, official state media in Turkmenistan are showcasing large-scale New Year preparations, including the lighting of the “Main Christmas Tree of the Country” on December 14. Despite the visible holiday decorations, New Year celebrations remain tightly controlled. Last year, schools and kindergartens canceled New Year events, and state institutions were prohibited from installing Christmas trees. Local analysts attribute these stringent measures to the conservative policies of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Unlike his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who was known for extravagant celebrations and even personal performances at New Year’s events, Serdar has opted for a more restrained and controlled approach. The restrictions reflect the growing emphasis on regulation and conformity under Turkmenistan’s current leadership, casting a shadow over what was once a more festive and unifying holiday.

Education Legislation health security Schools

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.

Uzbek Teachers Highlight Rising Interest in English and Other Foreign Languages

Interest in learning foreign languages in Uzbekistan is growing year by year, with English proving by far, the most popular. The English language is taught in Uzbekistan's schools from the 1st to the 11th grade. More advanced classes are offered by colleges or universities and in an ever- increasing number of educational centers specializing in teaching English. Regarding young people's interest in the language, Abbas Khan Mekhmonaliev, a teacher at the “English Team” language learning center, told The Times of Central Asia: “There is much to admire when it comes to the new generation in Uzbekistan, especially their passion for learning English. In the past, many young people studied English primarily to meet university entrance requirements. However, times have changed. Today, young people are thinking more broadly: learning English is no longer just a stepping stone to an education that opens the door to a future career. Young Uzbeks dream of going abroad to visit and succeed, and English is key to opening up global opportunities. This focus is about more than just language proficiency; it is about a distant future in which their lives will be more prosperous, fulfilling, and globally connected." According to Mekhmonaliev, English dominates other languages, especially amongst ambitious young people who see their peers succeed abroad by mastering English. In addition, they see it as an essential step towards promoting and achieving international recognition for Uzbekistan. “Several factors are responsible for the growing interest in learning English among the youth of Uzbekistan," explained Mekhmonaliev."First, English is the key to good career opportunities at home and abroad, as many employers require English. Second, access to global information, culture, and education, mostly in English, encourages young people to learn languages. Finally, studying or working abroad has become more attractive, and English is an important tool for achieving these ambitions and broadening their horizons.” Reiterating this stance, Rano Jurakulova, with over ten years of teaching English, commented, “Due to international education opportunities, better job prospects, and the influence of globalization, more and more young people are eager to learn English.” According to UNESCO data, Uzbekistan ranked fifth globally in terms of the number of students studying abroad in 2021. In recent years, the number of people wishing to study and work in Turkey has risen significantly and as of September 2024, over 55 thousand citizens of Uzbekistan received a residence permit for the country. As a result, the demand for studying the Turkish language has also increased. Turkish language teacher, Mohinur Qurbonmuradova, connects the increase in the number of language learners with the requirement of a language certificate for enrolment in master’s and doctoral studies : “90% of students study the Turkish language for this purpose. It is easy and a language close to Uzbek. Learning English takes a little longer." However, aside from attaining the certificate, she adds that very few are interested in learning Turkish. For many, English is no longer just an academic requirement but a powerful tool that opens doors to global educational opportunities, employment,...

Assault on Teacher by Parent in Tajikistan

History teacher Faizikhan Rajabova of School No. 8 in Vahdat city, Tajikistan, was attacked on October 5, on the eve of Teachers Day. She stated on social media that she was beaten by one of her students' parents in the classroom in front of the children, following her complaint to the school's director about the disruptive behavior of the student. As a result of the attack, she was hospitalized in Vahdat Hospital. In response to her appeal to Dushanbe Mayor Rustam Emomali to take action in the case, Tajikistan's Ministry of Education and Science said that an investigation is underway with the relevant bodies. Additional information will be provided once it is finalized. This case is not unique. In September 2024, student Bekhzod Nazarov was detained in Dushanbe for assaulting a teacher, and in Bokhtar, two young men were arrested for beating up a teacher. Criminal cases have been opened against the attackers under the article “hooliganism.” At a meeting with educators, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon expressed concern about such incidents and ordered the development of a law to raise the status of teachers in society. He said that respect for teachers is vital to the nation's future, and measures should be taken to improve their working conditions and role in society.

Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Global Knowledge Index

Kazakhstan performed best among Central Asian countries in the 2024 Global Knowledge Index, conducted by the United Nations Development Program in cooperation with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation. The country takes a respectable 74th place out of 133 countries; however, Kazakhstan is 60th out of the 61 countries with very high human development. The index considers seven indicators covering the countries' education, information and communication technology, and economic sectors. Uzbekistan is in 78th place, and the country ranks 14th out of 28 countries with high human development. Kyrgyzstan has a modest knowledge infrastructure. It is 84th in this rating and is a medium indicator of the country's knowledge infrastructure. The country ranks 5th out of 25 countries with medium human development. Tajikistan records the lowest result among the region's countries in the Global Knowledge Index. With 36.1 points, it takes 111th place among the 133 countries. Regarding medium human development, the country shows the same result as Kyrgyzstan.