“The problem of the lack of schools is not related to the transition to 12-year education. I have emphasized this in interviews more than once. This situation existed long before the introduction of the new educational system. For example, in recent years, about 140,000 to 150,000 children have enrolled in the first and second grades. According to the data from the electronic diary 'E-Kündölük', in the 2025-2026 academic year, the number of students will be: in the 1st grade — 106,015, in the 2nd grade — 124,593. For comparison, in 2015, the total number of students was 1,043,356, and by 2025 this figure will increase to 1,536,633, which is almost half a million more,” the president noted.
Sadyr Japarov explained that this growth is due to demographic changes and an increase in internal migration to urban areas, which creates a need for the construction of new schools and kindergartens, especially in cities.
According to him, specific steps are currently being taken to address this issue.
Since the beginning of 2025 to the present day, 134 educational facilities have been completed under the republican budget. These facilities include 60 schools and 28 kindergartens, as well as major repairs in 41 schools and 5 kindergartens. Additionally, 16 schools and 13 kindergartens were built with the involvement of various funding sources, including local budgets and sponsors, he added.
Thus, a total of 163 educational facilities have been completed across the republic using the republican budget and other sources, of which 117 are new buildings and 46 are majorly renovated.
“In 2022, 15 schools were built in Bishkek, and in the new year, it is planned to construct 20 new educational institutions in the capital, 10 in Osh, and 6 schools in Manas,” he added.
Construction will begin in February and be completed by September. Currently, there is the greatest need for educational institutions in these three cities. Thus, the problem will be addressed in stages. At present, 216 schools and 107 kindergartens are under construction at various stages of readiness in the country. It is planned to put into operation at least half of them by 2026,” concluded Sadyr Japarov.
