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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Education Minister Defends Kyrgyz Language Initiatives Amidst Criticism

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Education Minister Dogdurgul Kendirbaeva addressed public criticism regarding the state of the Kyrgyz language in schools.
  • She warned that over half of students do not reach basic reading comprehension levels in Kyrgyz, risking its status as an endangered language.
  • Kendirbaeva defended ongoing educational reforms, including bilingual programs and a transition to a 12-year system, against what she called attempts to disrupt progress.

Kyrgyzstan's Minister of Education, Dogdurgul Kendirbaeva, has responded to public outcry and criticism concerning the state of the Kyrgyz language in the nation's schools. In a statement on Facebook, she highlighted a concerning statistic: over 50 percent of students are failing to achieve basic reading and comprehension skills in Kyrgyz.

Kendirbaeva issued a stark warning: if the current trend continues, the Kyrgyz language could join the ranks of endangered minority languages. She stressed the importance of linguistic proficiency for national integration, stating, "If a citizen of Kyrgyzstan cannot master the Kyrgyz language, they cannot confidently participate in the political, economic, social, cultural, and business life of the country and become a successful leader." She reiterated that fluency in the state language and the ability to conduct official documentation in it are mandatory for both public service and the service industry.

If a citizen of Kyrgyzstan cannot master the Kyrgyz language, they cannot confidently participate in the political, economic, social, cultural, and business life of the country and become a successful leader.

— Dogdurgul KendirbaevaExplaining the importance of Kyrgyz language proficiency for national engagement and leadership.

"I do not want any child to feel disadvantaged in their own country due to lack of language knowledge," Kendirbaeva asserted, expressing a personal commitment to inclusivity. She also pointed to the successful implementation of bilingual programs in dozens of schools across the country, which incorporate instruction in multiple languages. Furthermore, the minister confirmed that the transition to a 12-year education system is underway and irreversible.

Amidst online discussions and a petition calling for her resignation, Kendirbaeva characterized these actions as attempts to hinder the ongoing reforms. She stated in a media interview that she perceives such efforts as deliberate obstacles to the progress being made. The debate, fueled by her earlier remarks on strengthening the role of the Kyrgyz language in education, has ignited a broader discussion on state language policy and school reforms.

I do not want any child to feel disadvantaged in their own country due to lack of language knowledge.

— Dogdurgul KendirbaevaExpressing her personal commitment to ensuring all children feel included regardless of their language skills.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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