The trade union emphasized that Baisalov's words, which contained derogatory assessments of teachers' professional training, came as a shock to educators across the republic.
Today, the education system is already on the brink, thanks to the selflessness of those teachers who continue to come to classes despite fatigue, pressure, and extremely difficult working conditions.“Teachers are leaving schools en masse. This is happening unprecedentedly. The facts speak for themselves: in the first two weeks of September 2025 alone, dozens of educators left their jobs.
According to the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, there is a shortage of 947 teachers for 2,261 state schools in the country — almost a thousand classes remain without instructors. These are not just numbers: these are children left without a teacher, and schools failing to fulfill their primary function,” the appeal states.
The trade union noted that it is extremely difficult for teachers to work in conditions that have been deteriorating for years: low salaries, old and unsuitable buildings for learning, classes with 50 children where it is impossible to ensure quality education, constant expectations for communication with parents even at night, and an atmosphere of pressure and blame for the failures of the school system.
“During the pandemic, parents realized for the first time how difficult it is to educate children, even their own. But teachers do this every day, working with 30-50 children for years... Teachers are not just disrespected — their safety is at risk. We are increasingly witnessing how educators are insulted and humiliated by parents. A teacher, who should be an authority and protection for a child, finds themselves defenseless,” the statement emphasizes.
This means that in a few years, there will be no one to teach children. The profession has lost its prestige; it has ceased to be a dream and has turned into a trial.Nevertheless, the trade union noted that government authorities have recently taken steps to improve school education: new schools are being built, and starting in April 2026, a salary increase for teachers to 40,000 soms is expected. Therefore, the trade union decided to appeal to the president.
“We see your sincere desire to raise the prestige of teachers, restore respect for schools, and create conditions for quality education. That is why it is so painful for us to hear words that undermine trust. The recent statement by Edil Baisalov deeply affected educators across the country. His words belittled the efforts of those who support the school and created a distorted perception of the education system, expressed on the international stage. We ask you to respond to these words, to show teachers that the state values their work and is ready to protect them, that their dignity matters.
Teachers are those who shape generations, destinies, and the future of the country. They cannot be replaced by "people from the street," regardless of payment, as training a teacher requires psychology, upbringing, methodology, patience, love for children, and immense responsibility. Please support us.Protect educators from unfair remarks that cast a shadow over the entire system. Tell society that a teacher is a value, not a disposable resource,” the appeal emphasizes.
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It should be noted that earlier Edil Baisalov expressed the need to dismiss 15-20% of ineffective teachers, claiming that they could be replaced by other specialists, such as journalists, after undergoing short-term courses.Later, in a conversation with Kaktus.media, he clarified his position, specifying that he was referring to those teachers who, although they have a diploma, do not master the curriculum.
The educational community of the country expressed outrage over such statements, and one teacher suggested that the official try working in a rural school to understand the difficulties faced by educators.
