A meeting between the Ministers of Education of Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan was held in Ashgabat. The key outcome of the talks was Kyrgyzstan’s intention to study Turkmenistan’s experience in implementing the 12-year school education system, as well as an agreement to develop a legal framework for further expanding bilateral cooperation.

The meeting, held as part of events dedicated to the International Day of Neutrality of Turkmenistan, highlighted the mutual interest of both countries in exchanging experiences related to educational reforms.

Exchange of Experience in 12-Year Education

During the meeting, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan provided detailed information on ongoing reforms, including the transition of secondary schools to a 12-year education system, which has been successfully implemented in Turkmenistan since 2013.

Kyrgyzstan, which has also recently transitioned to a 12-year education system starting from the current academic year, expressed strong interest in studying the experience accumulated by Turkmenistan in this field.

Key Proposals from Kyrgyzstan

In order to establish a legal foundation for cooperation and further develop partnership relations, the Kyrgyz side put forward several specific proposals:

• Legal framework: Preparation of a draft Memorandum of Understanding in the field of education.

• Study of experience: Sending a delegation to Turkmenistan to comprehensively study the experience of implementing the 12-year education system.

• Joint projects: Joint development of textbooks and publications dedicated to the national values of both countries.

The parties agreed to begin joint work on the implementation of these initiatives.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan invited his Kyrgyz counterparts to participate in the annual International Mathematics Olympiad, as well as other major events, including the opening of a new complex of the Turkmen State Pedagogical Institute scheduled for September 2026.

ORIENT