Kyrgyzstan's school construction boom needs more than just buildings, expert warns

Kyrgyzstan is investing heavily in new school infrastructure, with plans to construct 36 schools by 2026 under the "Altyn Kazyk" reform. This initiative also aims to streamline licensing for private educational institutions.

However, Amirkhan Sultanmuratov, an education leader with experience managing school networks in Kyrgyzstan and Kenya, cautions against prioritizing buildings over educators. He points to national test results showing that only half of Kyrgyz students achieve basic literacy, a figure unchanged for 15 years. Sultanmuratov, who previously expanded the "Sapat" school network to 27 branches across Kyrgyzstan, emphasizes that finding and training qualified teachers is the most significant challenge.

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A building gives you a roof, chairs, and a board. But none of that will teach a child to read.

"A building gives you a roof, chairs, and a board. But none of that will teach a child to read," Sultanmuratov stated. He believes a good teacher can educate students even in a poor facility, while a poor teacher will not succeed in a good one. He warns that without teacher training keeping pace with construction, the new schools risk becoming overcrowded and underperforming within two years.

Sultanmuratov also highlighted the importance of robust communication systems for maintaining academic standards across geographically dispersed schools. During his tenure at "Sapat," consistent academic calendars, assessment cycles, and reporting deadlines were enforced across all campuses, regardless of their location. This ensured a uniform academic bar, even as local teams adapted to their specific environments. He stressed that continuous visits to branches were essential to uphold these standards.

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If teacher training does not keep pace with construction, these 36 schools risk becoming overcrowded and underperforming within two years.