Biškek has announced the launch of a project named ‘Contemporary Teacher’ in collaboration with international NGOs from the Teach for All network. The initiative is set to commence in the Čuj region, the most northerly and underdeveloped area in the country, with a focus on fostering creativity.
The Kyrgyzstan Council of Ministers has disclosed plans for nationwide educational reforms, emphasizing the indispensable role of international funding for successful implementation. Cooperation with active NGOs in the region is deemed crucial for this purpose.
Recognizing education as a key social mobility factor, Kyrgyzstan aims to break free from historical and Soviet influences that have led to internal tensions and external challenges.
Aligned with the reform agenda, the Zamanbap mugalim (“Contemporary Teacher”) project has been launched in Kyrgyzstan under the stewardship of the Teach for Kyrgyzstan foundation, adhering to the principles established by the Teach for All organization founded in 2007.
This global network unites independent associations worldwide to drive various social initiatives, all geared towards enhancing education standards across different nations.
A recent presentation in Bishkek delved into the imperative of incorporating new educational paradigms in Kyrgyzstan while also addressing the associated challenges and risks.
A core theme emphasized during the discussion was the cultivation of a community of creative individuals, comprising skilled teachers dedicated to broader objectives, motivated for continuous personal and communal advancement, well-versed in cutting-edge methodologies, and committed to nurturing children’s full potential.
The recruitment process for prospective educators at this level has been initiated, with training sessions scheduled to commence next summer.
The project’s inaugural phase will unfold in the Čuj region, known as the most remote and underdeveloped part of Kyrgyzstan, where a minimum of three Zamanbap mugalim teachers will be deployed across 10 schools out of the 314 in the locality. Gapyr Madaminov, a prominent educator in the country, elaborated on the initiatives during the presentation.
Madaminov, renowned for his innovative teaching approaches implemented at the experimental gymnasium in the Lejlek province of the Batken region, has earned the moniker of “contemporary teacher.” He advocates for a shift in the educational system to unlock children’s creativity by liberating their minds rather than overloading them with unassimilable information.
Various entities, including the Ministry of Education and Science of Bishkek, the US embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and local private enterprises like the Ololo group, have pledged their support to the project.
Danijar Amanaliev, a key figure in the support network, has called upon all entrepreneurs in the country to contribute not only financially but also by providing spaces, resources, and other forms of technical and human assistance. He underscores the collective responsibility of safeguarding the future of children and the nation.
Kamila Šaršekieva, the rector of the International University of Central Asia, has extended solidarity towards educational reform and innovation efforts, offering the institute’s expertise to the project.
While expressing support for the educational initiatives, concerns have been raised regarding the recent enactment of the law on “foreign representatives” in Kyrgyzstan, with hopes that its implications will not adversely impact the education sector.