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Education

Heads Roll After Surprise School Visit by Tajikistan’s Education Minister

Several education officials in Tajikistan have been dismissed following an unannounced inspection by Minister of Education and Science Rahim Saidzoda, according to the ministry’s press service. On September 19, the minister conducted surprise visits to schools in the Yavan and Rudaki districts, inspecting teaching quality, student and staff discipline, classroom attendance, foreign language proficiency, and readiness for the autumn-winter season. At School No. 16 in Yavan, only half the students were present, and eighth and ninth-grade classes had been improperly combined. Of 21 available computers, only three were operational. Students were unable to answer basic questions in Russian and English and struggled to define “information technology.” The minister also reported poor discipline, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate winter preparedness. School director Munira Mirzozoda, who had served for over 11 years, was dismissed for what the ministry described as “irresponsible fulfillment of official duties.” At School No. 14 in Rudaki, the director was absent at the time of the visit. Classrooms were in disrepair, the transition to a 10-point grading system was delayed, and foreign language instruction was found lacking. At the kindergarten attached to the same school, the head was also absent, and the teaching staff received criticism for performance issues. On September 22, the ministry announced the dismissal of School No. 14 director Amriddin Rahmonov and kindergarten head Zarragul Faizova. Following the Yavan inspection, the ministry reported that all school computers were repaired, IT usage was improved, attendance increased, and class schedules were brought into compliance with national standards. The unauthorized practice of combining different grade levels was halted. The ministry emphasized that quality education depends on “strict compliance with standards and high responsibility from all employees of the system from management to support staff.” This was not Saidzoda’s first surprise visit. He previously inspected schools in the town of Hisor and kindergartens in Dushanbe, where similar issues were observed, including poor discipline, unsanitary conditions, and low student engagement. Experts continue to highlight long-standing problems in Tajikistan’s education sector, including shortages of qualified teachers, inadequate school infrastructure, and limited access to learning materials. Parents frequently voice concerns over the quality of instruction and are often asked to contribute funds for school maintenance and repairs.

Education

Uzbekistan to Transition to 12-Year School System

Uzbekistan is preparing to transition to a 12-year general education system, Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education Sardor Radjabov announced in an interview with Uzbekistan-24. The change will incorporate preparatory classes into formal education, extending schooling from the current 11 years to 12. The revised structure will include three stages: One year of school preparation Four years of primary education (grades 1-4) Five years of general secondary education (grades 5-9) Two years of full secondary education (grades 10-11), which may be completed at general schools, academic lyceums, military schools, or technical colleges According to Radjabov, the reform aims to enhance educational quality and eliminate obstacles faced by Uzbek students applying to foreign universities. Currently, graduates are often required to complete a one-year foundation program abroad before qualifying for undergraduate studies. “This means our children lose a year,” he said. “If we implement the 12-year education system, students will no longer need to study foundation courses in several countries and will be able to enter undergraduate programs directly.” He added that aligning Uzbekistan’s education system with international standards would expand opportunities for graduates and narrow the gap between local and global academic systems. The reform builds on earlier changes to Uzbekistan’s school structure. In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed the reinstatement of an 11-year general education framework, emphasizing its role in improving the connection between schools and colleges. Since then, most schools have operated under the 11-year model.

Education

Knowledge Day in Central Asia: What’s Changing in Schools This Academic Year?

Secondary schools across Central Asia are embracing modern teaching methods and aiming to elevate the status of teachers, as the new academic year begins with a wave of reforms. Kazakhstan: AI in Classrooms and Teacher Protections In Kazakhstan, the academic year begins on September 2, as Constitution Day on the 1st is a national holiday. Over 370,000 first-graders are expected to enter school this year. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, significant reforms are underway in the country’s education system. Amendments to the Law “On the Status of Teachers” will shield educators from non-teaching duties and protect them from undue legal responsibility. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized that educators should not be held accountable for incidents involving children that occur outside school or due to parental negligence. New “personal safety” lessons will also be introduced across all educational levels, from kindergartens to colleges. These age-appropriate classes will cover topics ranging from water safety and interaction with strangers to cyberbullying, financial literacy, and legal awareness. Schools and colleges are also rolling out DosbolLIKE, an anti-bullying initiative piloted in 50 schools last year, designed to curb bullying in student communities. Artificial intelligence will be introduced into the curriculum via “Digital Literacy” and “Computer Science” classes. AI-focused online courses called Day of AI are now available for grades 1-11, with training programs also developed for teachers. Despite the construction of 1,200 new schools accommodating over a million students in recent years, the high birth rate continues to strain infrastructure. In Almaty alone, the shortage exceeds 34,000 school places. Uzbekistan: Ivy League Aspirations and Civic Values In Uzbekistan, school also starts on September 2, a customary date. The first lesson will be conducted under the motto: “In the name of the Motherland, in the name of the nation, in the name of the people!” According to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, 738,000 first-graders will receive gifts from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. An international school is set to open this September, initially enrolling 60 top-performing graduates of the 8th grade. The curriculum will include leadership and social activism training, with a focus on preparing students for admission to Ivy League universities. A nationwide talent identification and development program is also in development. The weekly Kelazhak Soati (“Hour of the Future”) class will debut this year, aiming to strengthen students’ moral values and encourage reflection on their future roles in society. Kyrgyzstan: Transition to 12-Year Education This academic year marks Kyrgyzstan’s official transition to a 12-year education system. The reform affects lesson structures, curricula, and textbooks. The transition, to be completed by 2028, includes the redistribution of students across grade levels. For example, third graders born in 2015 will skip to fifth grade, and sixth graders born in 2012 will advance to eighth grade. Further shifts are scheduled for the next two academic years. While the extended education model is expected to allow deeper learning and skills development, the transition period may cause confusion among students, parents, and educators. Adapting to new...

Education

Kyrgyz Schools Face Persistent Shortages of Teachers and Textbooks

Kyrgyzstan continues to face serious shortages of qualified teachers and school textbooks, according to Deputy Minister of Education Nadira Jusupbekova, who addressed the issue during a recent press conference in Bishkek. Teacher Deficit in Key Subjects As of the end of the last academic year, schools across the country were short 947 teachers, Jusupbekova reported. The most acute gaps are in mathematics, Russian language, and history, though a shortage of history teachers is a more recent development. “The lack of mathematics teachers is particularly severe, especially in Bishkek,” she said. “Russian language comes next. We currently have teachers from Russia assisting us, and we’ve requested universities to increase training for mathematics and Russian language specialists.” Ongoing Textbook Shortage In addition to staffing challenges, many schools still lack adequate textbook supplies. Last year, the Ministry of Education admitted that general education schools were only 50% stocked with textbooks, forcing many students to rent materials. This year, 744 million KGS (approximately $8.5 million) was allocated from the national budget for textbook production. These funds have been used to publish new English language textbooks for grades 3-9, with a total print run exceeding 1.9 million copies. Among them are 158,700 textbooks for grade 4, printed with support from the British Embassy. Mathematics and science textbooks for grades 1-2 (over 1.2 million copies) have already been printed, with additional sets for grades 5 and 7 scheduled for release soon. Textbooks for Russian language and literature, adapted by a working group in Kyrgyzstan, will be printed in Russia. They are expected to be delivered by October 2025. Digital Platform Offers Interim Relief To address the immediate textbook shortage, the Ministry has launched the Okuu Kitebi online platform, which provides access to all school textbooks in digital format. Future updates will integrate the platform with other educational systems, enabling students and teachers to download and use materials offline. According to Okuu Kitebi Publishing House, the goal is to meet 110% of textbook demand in schools by 2030, with funding to continue coming from the national budget.

Education

South Korea to Support Health and Nutrition in Kyrgyz Schools

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving health and nutrition in schools by incorporating locally produced agricultural products into school meals. According to KOICA’s Kyrgyzstan office, the project will directly benefit approximately 16,000 students and local farmers across the regions of Osh, Jalal-Abad, Chui, Naryn, and Batken. The project aims to enhance children’s health through fortified school meals, upgraded school infrastructure, and capacity-building programs for school personnel. With a total budget of $10 million, the program will run until 2028. It will support the renovation of kitchens and dining areas, the construction of toilets, the installation of handwashing stations, and the delivery of educational programs on healthy eating, meal procurement, health, and hygiene in approximately 40 schools. In addition, the project includes training for local agricultural cooperatives on crop cultivation, post-harvest handling, and operational management, alongside the development of model farms. A key component of the initiative is expanding access to clean water and ensuring that hygiene and sanitation services are adequate, inclusive, and gender-sensitive. This is not KOICA’s first investment in Kyrgyzstan’s development. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported on a separate $10 million project launched by KOICA to improve air quality in the country, with a particular focus on Bishkek.

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.