Analysis of the Current Situation
Previously, a program for the development of the state language and language policy was in effect in Kyrgyzstan for the years 2021-2025. Within the framework of this program, the Constitutional Law "On the State Language" was adopted. According to information from the national commission, the level of use of the Kyrgyz language in the documentation of government agencies increased from 60% in 2022 to 79% by 2025. As part of the digitalization process, electronic platforms and mobile applications for language learning were introduced.Despite the successes achieved, there are still unresolved issues. These include a lack of dictionaries, the absence of a unified terminological base, standards, and tools that complicate documentation in the state language. There is also a shortage of modern teaching methods and qualified teachers for both the native and second languages. Motivation among students is also not at a high level.
Furthermore, there is no common understanding of the concepts of "native language," "state language," and "official language." Additionally, there is still insufficient quality content in the Kyrgyz language, especially in scientific and technical fields, and the market for media products in the state language remains unstable.
The national commission emphasizes that a formal approach to teaching the state language does not contribute to a real increase in knowledge among civil servants, especially in urban areas. The educational system still employs outdated methods based on memorization, without practical application.
"In some cases, the requirement to know the state language is perceived as a restriction of citizens' rights; however, the conditions for voluntary and motivational language learning are insufficient. There is a high interest in the English language, especially in the field of information technology, as well as in the Russian language for employment and communication. This negatively affects the prestige of the Kyrgyz language and causes resistance to its study. In a multilingual environment, a policy focused on inclusivity, support for bilingualism, and the preservation of multilingual education is necessary," the explanatory note states.
Work on the new program began in August 2025 and involved a wide range of participants: representatives of government structures, municipalities, the scientific community, business, civil society organizations, and experts.
Plans for the Development of the State Language
One of the priorities of the program will be to increase the level of knowledge of the Kyrgyz language among state and municipal employees. Accelerated training programs, distance courses, methodological materials will be introduced, and annual monitoring will be conducted. A unified digital platform for self-study of the language will also be created, the mobile application "Кыргызча оной" will be updated, and an AI assistant will check the quality of documents in Kyrgyz.The program includes reforming the teaching of the Kyrgyz language, updating methodologies and educational materials, improving education in kindergartens, and enhancing teacher qualifications. Each year, up to 500 Kyrgyz language teachers will be able to take professional development courses. There are also plans to create professional language courses for colleges and lyceums, as well as to develop and print new textbooks for students from grades 1 to 12.
In the scientific field, the national commission proposes the development of specialized dictionaries and glossaries, the translation of scientific literature into the Kyrgyz language, support for scientific publications, and the integration of the Kyrgyz language into scientific conferences and forums. Work will continue on updating spelling, explanatory, and specialized dictionaries, as well as developing the Kyrgyz "Wikipedia."
Special attention will be given to the inventory of geographical names.
In the cultural and media spheres, state initiatives will be aimed at supporting the creation of animation, dubbing of international content, producing children's programs, and conducting intellectual competitions. The creation of new educational digital resources and video stories about outstanding Kyrgyzstanis is also planned. For children, trilingual books, musical publications, and illustrated encyclopedias will be released. Books about the founding fathers of Kyrgyz statehood will also be published.
Furthermore, the program envisions the creation of a sustainable Kyrgyz-speaking environment in public spaces: on signs, in advertising, cultural institutions, transport, and the service sector. All official events, such as forums and conferences, must be conducted using the Kyrgyz language.
The main sources of funding for this program will include:
- the republican budget;
- grant programs from international organizations;
- partnerships with businesses.
