“A teacher is a value, not a disposable resource”
The Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan and the pedagogical unions have addressed President Sadyr Japarov regarding the recent statements made by Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov. He proposed to dismiss 15-20% of ineffective teachers and replace them with new personnel.
The union expressed the opinion of 184 thousand teachers working in the country, emphasizing that the education system is on the brink of collapse.
“Teachers continue to work despite fatigue, pressure, and extremely unfavorable working conditions. According to official data, there is a shortage of 947 teachers in 2,261 state schools. These are not just numbers, but real children left without teachers, and schools unable to fulfill their function,” the union representatives reported.
The working conditions for teachers are complicated by low salaries, old buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and constant expectations for availability, even at night. In such an atmosphere, pressure and misunderstanding prevail, and teachers become victims of accusations for the problems in the education system.
“A recent study conducted by the Trade Union Institute of Labor of the FPKC among students showed that only 5.5% of applicants wish to become teachers. This indicates that in a few years, there may be no educators left in educational institutions. The profession has lost its prestige and has turned into a trial. Although recently the government has been taking measures to improve the situation: new schools are being built, and by April 2026, salaries are expected to rise to 40,000 soms. Dear Sadyr Nurgoyevich, we appreciate your efforts to restore respect for the profession and create conditions for quality education. That is why it is painful for us to hear words that undermine trust,” the union added, urging the president to respond to the official's statements.
“A teacher is a value, not a disposable resource,” they concluded.
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