“Over the past 10 years, the number of schoolchildren has increased by almost 500 thousand”
During the IV People's Kurultai, delegates frequently discussed the issue of the lack of educational institutions. President Sadyr Japarov commented on the situation in detail during an interview with KNA "Kabar," addressing the transition to a 12-year education system and demographic growth in the country.
One of the key topics raised by the delegates was the shortage of schools. Attendees noted that some classes have 40-50 students and demanded a solution to this problem. Is this important in the context of transitioning to a 12-year education system?
“No, this is not related to the transition to 12-year education. I have emphasized this many times in previous interviews. The problem of school shortages existed long before the implementation of the 12-year system,” the president noted.
For example, in recent years, about 140-150 thousand children have been admitted to the 1st and 2nd grades.
According to information from the electronic diary “E-Kündölük,” for the academic year 2025-2026, the number of students will be:
1st grade - 106,015 students,
2nd grade - 124,593 students.
For comparison, in 2015, the total number of schoolchildren reached 1,043,356, and by 2025, after 10 years, this figure increased to 1,536,633, which is almost 500 thousand new students.
This is due to the population growth in the country and increased internal migration to urban areas, creating a need for new schools and kindergartens, especially in cities.
Currently, active work is underway in this direction.
Since the beginning of 2025 to the present day, 134 educational facilities have been completed with the republic's budget.
Among them are 60 schools and 28 kindergartens, as well as major repairs of 41 schools and 5 kindergartens.
Additionally, the construction of 16 schools and 13 kindergartens has been financed from various sources, including development funds and local budgets.
In total, 163 educational facilities have been completed across the republic, of which 117 are new constructions and 46 are major repairs.
In Bishkek, 15 schools were built in 2022, and in 2023, it is planned to construct 20 new educational institutions. In Osh city, 10 schools will be built, and in Manas – 6.
Construction will begin in February and is expected to be completed by September.
The highest demand for new schools is observed in these three cities.
Thus, the solution to the problem will occur in stages.
Currently, 216 schools and 107 kindergartens are under construction across the country, and it is planned to complete and put into operation at least half of them by 2026.
As for the transition to a 12-year education system, this is a requirement of the times.
First, it aligns with global standards; second, it is a necessity in the global education market.
In modern conditions, we cannot afford to lag behind in integrating our education system into the global educational and labor space.
Neighboring countries have already gone through this stage or are in the process of implementing it.
In 2029, the first graduates of the 12-year education system will receive their diplomas.
Otherwise, our graduates, finishing schools that do not meet global standards, will be forced to undergo an additional year of preparation to enroll in foreign universities.
The transition to a 12-year education system has become an objective necessity.
This is a global requirement. Without access to the global educational space, we face difficulties in training specialists who meet the demands of the global labor market.
For Kyrgyzstan, it is extremely important to develop human capital that can compete on the global stage.
The 10-11 year education system has fulfilled its historical task; it was oriented towards the needs of a planned economy.
Today, in a market economy, preparing competitive specialists is an urgent necessity, and we cannot remain aloof from these processes. This is a system that ensures early professional self-determination,” the president concluded.
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