Developing the National Education Model amid the Transition to a 12-Year Schooling System

Main News

Developing the National Education Model amid the Transition to a 12-Year Schooling System

2025-04-16 / 4308 / 12:04:35

On April 15, the Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev hosted a round table discussion titled “12-Year Secondary General Education System: The Role of Secondary and Higher Vocational Education Institutions in Teacher Training and Reform Implementation.”

The event brought together national and international education experts, leaders of pedagogical universities and colleges across Kyrgyzstan, representatives of international organizations, and officials from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and its affiliated institutions.

The round table aimed to explore the main directions for implementing the activities outlined in the approved Roadmap for reforming secondary and higher vocational pedagogical education in light of the country's shift to a 12-year general education system.

In her opening remarks, Minister of Education and Science Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva underscored the crucial role of teacher training during the transition:

“We have adopted the necessary regulatory documents and approved the Concept. Currently, 46 textbooks are in development. The national standard is in place, and work on subject-specific standards is underway. However, the biggest challenge is attracting the most qualified professionals into education. We must ensure proper evaluation and foster motivation for quality teaching. As we move to a 12-year model, it is vital to ask: who will teach, for what purpose, and—most importantly—how will these teachers be trained? How will we revise pedagogical standards? These are the pressing questions we must answer together. It’s time to shift from quantity to quality.”

Participants focused on the role of pedagogical institutions in preparing a new generation of educators equipped to thrive in an evolving educational landscape.

Presentations included:

Ainura Tulbaevna Isirailova, Head of the Department of Higher, Secondary Vocational and Postgraduate Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, on the current state of teacher education in Kyrgyzstan;
Gulzada Rajapovna Duishebaeva, Head of Accreditation, Licensing and Quality Monitoring at I. Arabaev KSU, on the implementation of the “Roadmap” for educational reform;
Dr. Paulius Lukas Tamoshunas, an international expert, on the role of universities within Lithuania’s STEAM education ecosystem;
Kudaiberdi Gaparalievich Kozhobekov, Rector of Osh State University, on preparing teachers for the 12-year education system.

As vocational and pedagogical education institutions are pivotal in shaping human capital—a key driver of economic progress, social prosperity, and sustainable development—the transition to a 12-year general education model presents significant new responsibilities, not only for schools but for the entire educator training system.

This round table served as a vital forum for open dialogue among government officials, academia, and educational practitioners, marking an important step forward in national education reform.