We’re excited to welcome Teach for Kyrgyzstan to Teach For All as the newest network partner! Teach for Kyrgyzstan believes that high-quality school education is a cornerstone for the development of a modern and innovative society, and envisions a future where every child in Kyrgyzstan has access to quality education and the opportunity to realize their full potential.

The education system in Kyrgyzstan faces significant challenges that make this mission even more critical. The country has 1.35 million students and 82,000 teachers, with two-thirds of those teachers working in rural areas. Nearly half of these teachers are nearing retirement age or are already retired, and less than 10% are under the age of 30. Kyrgyzstan also faces an annual shortage of about 2,000 teachers, compounding the issues in the education sector.

Moreover, 60% of school students do not reach the basic level of functional literacy in reading, mathematics, and natural sciences. This issue is even more pronounced in rural schools, where 70% of 4th graders did not meet basic knowledge standards, compared to 43% in Bishkek. These challenges underscore the urgent need for innovative educational solutions and talented educators to uplift the system.

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In Kyrgyzstan, where the potential for a creative economy is vast but largely untapped, education plays a pivotal role. The government's commitment to fostering this sector is evident in the recent creation of The Park for Creative Industries. A creative economy thrives on the skills, talents, and innovative thinking of its people—qualities that Teach for Kyrgyzstan believes must be nurtured from a young age. The organization aims to build a dynamic community of talented professionals known as jaratmans—a term derived from Kyrgyz meaning "creators" in English—who are not just educators, they’re social entrepreneurs committed to transforming the landscape of education in Kyrgyzstan and fostering the growth of a creative economy.

By equipping students with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and creative capacities needed to excel in the 21st century, Teach for Kyrgyzstan’s jaratmans will lay the groundwork for a future where Kyrgyzstan can harness its creative and entrepreneurial spirit to drive economic growth and social progress. The jaratmans will be dedicated to creating lasting change within the communities where they work, bringing innovation to the classroom, inspiring students to think creatively, and working to bridge the gap between education and the broader social and economic challenges facing Kyrgyzstan.

Led by Founder & CEO Asel Bektenova, a key figure in the Decentralization and Local Self-Government Program who has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural schools and the transformative power of community engagement, Teach For Kyrgyzstan placed its first cohort of 29 jaratmans in schools in Chuy region in Kyrgyzstan on September 1. This milestone was made possible through the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyz Republic, under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023. We look forward to learning from them and sharing more about their journeys as the school year progresses!

Learn more and follow Teach for Kyrgyzstan on Instagram and Facebook.