Kyrgyz Leader: 12-Year Education Shift - Modern Necessity

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has emphasized that Kyrgyzstan’s shift to 12-year education is a requirement of the time.

President Japarov clarified that overcrowded classrooms, with some having 40-50 students, are not caused by the 12-year system, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

The issue stems from demographic growth and increased urban migration. Over the past decade, the number of schoolchildren rose by almost 500,000, creating an urgent need for new schools and kindergartens.

He stressed that the 12-year education system aligns with global standards and prepares students to meet the demands of the international education market and labor force. Without it, graduates would require additional preparation to enter foreign universities.

“The 10-11-year system served its historical purpose for a planned economy. Today, we must prepare specialists for a market economy, ensuring they can compete globally,” Japarov said, highlighting the system as a means of early professionalization.

The first graduates of the 12-year system will finish in 2029, marking a key milestone in Kyrgyzstan’s educational modernization.