Education Sector Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic: building a sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready education system

Education is a cornerstone of development, and the EU is committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan in creating a system that is inclusive, equitable, and prepared for 21st-century challenges. This project addresses three key challenges in Kyrgyzstan’s education sector:

• Improving access to quality education for all, including children with disabilities.
• Enhancing teaching methods and teacher training to modernise learning approaches.
• Promoting gender equality and developing 21st-century skills, such as digital literacy.

The initiative also focuses on reducing disparities between urban and rural areas, addressing gaps in ICT infrastructure, and preparing students for the modern workforce by eliminating gender stereotypes in curricula.

In an unprecedented approach, the project integrates environmental and climate change awareness into Kyrgyzstan’s education system. By embedding sustainability and low-carbon practices into the curriculum, it equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to actively contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.

Objectives

The project’s overarching goal is to foster inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education, while advancing digital, media, and green skills. This will be achieved through four specific objectives:

• Inclusive and equitable quality education: ensure equal access to education for all children, including those from marginalized groups.
• Improved digital skills: prepare students with the technological proficiency needed for a modern workforce.
• Enhanced media literacy: empower students to critically evaluate and engage with digital content.
• Developed green skills: promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices through education.

Activities

This project provides financial support to help the Kyrgyz government improve its education system by ensuring stable and predictable funding. It offers policy guidance, advice and training to strengthen the institutions responsible for education, helping them deliver better quality education for all. Consultations will be held on the development and implementation of education quality policy and regulation. 

Support will be provided to improve education services with regard to equality and inclusivity, as well as the development of digital, media and green skills. It will support greener budgeting and strengthen resilience to COVID-19 and future crises. 

Training and best practice will be provided to the Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) and other relevant bodies to help them plan, finance, deliver, manage and report on education quality progress, green procurement and budgeting.

Regular monitoring and policy dialogue will take place on achievements of the education policy and quality education objectives, on macro-economic and Public Finance Management (PFM) developments and budget transparency.

Expected results

The project aims to achieve measurable improvements across key areas:

1. Improved student reading and mathematics skills: the project aims to significantly improve student learning, particularly in reading and mathematics skills. Primary school students reading proficiency levels are targeted to increase from 40% to 55%. Secondary school students’ proficiency in reading and mathematics is targeted to increase from 35% to 50%. 
2. Improved skills for digital and green transitions: by 2027, students will be assessed in their digital literacy, media literacy and green skills, and at least 50% of students are expected to demonstrate basic or higher-level skills in these areas at the appropriate grade. Specific targets are included to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) levels of students. 
3. Better inclusion of girls and learners with disabilities: all new textbooks, education standards, curricular teaching and learning materials will be gender-responsive. There are specific targets to improve access to inclusive public education for students with disabilities and to train teachers and experts in inclusive and gender-responsive education. 
4. Curriculum reform and teacher professional development: the MoES aims to adopt competence-based green skills teaching and learning materials, and appropriate assessment tools. This includes specific targets to develop textbooks on a new ‘natural science’ subject, with teacher training and certification.

By fostering inclusion, promoting sustainability, and equipping students with modern skills, this initiative will transform Kyrgyzstan’s education system. The EU’s partnership ensures that no child is left behind, and every student is empowered to build a brighter, more sustainable future for Kyrgyzstan.

Implementing partners: The Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.