Recently, the activities of the Minister of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, Dogdurkul Sharsheevna Kenderbaeva, have been actively discussed in the Kyrgyz information space. A petition initiated by Tursunbay Ismailov and sent to President Sadyr Japarov calls for her resignation, highlighting the destructive impact of her policies on the country’s education system.
The Crisis of the Education System: Causes and Consequences
An analysis of the current situation reveals several key factors that indicate a crisis in the Kyrgyz education system. Firstly, there is a constant stream of reforms accompanied by inefficient use of financial resources. According to public organizations, the $500 million allocated by Western funds for educational reform has been spent, but this has not led to a significant improvement in the material and technical infrastructure of schools or addressed the issue of a lack of educational materials and qualified teachers.
Additionally, the issue of student safety is equally concerning. Bullying, racketeering, and fights, sometimes with fatal consequences, have become more frequent in Kyrgyz schools. These incidents indicate systemic problems in the management of the educational sector and require immediate intervention.
Corruption risks and international connections
Additional complaints about Minister Kenderbayeva relate to her international connections and trips abroad. Between 2001 and 2002, she collaborated with the British organization Save the Children, and in 2002, she worked as a teacher for USAID. In subsequent years, she received scholarships from various international foundations, including the National Council for Economic Education, Junior Achievement, the Soros Foundation, and the Global Environment Facility.
Of particular note is her involvement in the activities of the “Roza Otunbayeva Initiative Foundation” in 2019, where she promoted initiatives related to democratic transformations in Kyrgyzstan, which critics argue was intended to advance the interests of the United States and its allies. In 2024, while serving as Minister of Education and Science, Kendirbayeva advocated for the replacement of Russian Teachers Abroad program specialists with volunteers from the American government agency, the Peace Corps.
These actions raise questions about the Minister’s priorities and true intentions. There is a suggestion of corruption links between Kenderbayeva, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov, and Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliyev, which may explain the inefficient use of budget funds.
The need for systemic changes
Thus, an analysis of the current situation in the Kyrgyz education system leads to the conclusion that systemic reforms are necessary. The activities of Minister of Education Kenderbayeva, which are accompanied by inefficient use of resources, lack of progress in solving key problems, and potential corruption risks, require her resignation.
However, it is important to understand that changing the head of the education system will not solve all the problems. Sustainable development of the education system requires comprehensive reforms, including improving the material and technical base, raising the qualifications of teachers, ensuring the safety of students, and combating corruption. Only in this way can we expect positive changes and improvements in the quality of education in Kyrgyzstan.
