Preschool Education

Since 1998, the reduction in the number of preschool institutions has been halted, and a quantitative growth has been observed. As of 2004, the number of children's preschool institutions amounted to 417, with an enrollment of 46.3 thousand children. The development primarily focused on models of preschool institutions that are alternatives to state ones. A lot of attention was given to additional educational services for the population through programs for the development of younger children. The work in state preschool institutions was improved. In preschool institutions, alongside the general education program, the study of foreign languages and the basics of musical and artistic culture were introduced. Work began on creating educational programs enriched with national and cultural content.

A particularly promising program is the "Mother's School," which involves the participation and unity of three forces — educators, younger school-age children, and parents — in educational and developmental programs. It has been implemented in 70 preschool institutions across the republic. Thanks to the "Mother's School" program, about 2,000 parents have been trained in working with children, and 1,500 children received preschool preparation within this program.

A program called "Development of Early Childhood at the Community Level" has been developed and is being implemented with the support of the Asian Development Bank. Since 2005, 400 community kindergartens have been operating with an enrollment of over 20,000 children. In collaboration with the Swiss organization SEMERA, a project for the development of bilingual education is being implemented in preschool institutions, with the prospect of including it in the primary classes of the republic.