Schools across Kyrgyzstan, particularly in rural areas, are facing a shortage of Russian language teachers. This issue was brought to light by the republic's president, Sadyr Zhaparov, during an interview with the Kyrgyz state agency Kabar.
"We're in need of Russian language teachers, especially in rural areas," - Zhaparov emphasized. "- I haven't heard of our children speaking Russian since their early years. In fact, there are cases where students graduate without a basic understanding of Russian, only to later find themselves in Russia." He made this observation in response to the remarks of Nurlanbek Shakiyev, the speaker of the national parliament, who suggested limiting the use of Russian and English in the country, including a proposal to ban children's cartoons in these languages.
Zhaparov further elaborated on the challenges faced by Kyrgyz citizens in the Russian Federation, stating, "They often encounter language barriers. That's why I personally approached Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin, Russian president] to establish nine Russian-language schools for us. The construction is set to commence shortly."
The president reassured that Shakiyev's views on Russian and English are personal opinions, contrasting them with the state's policy. "Russian and English are essential world languages," - Zhaparov argued. - "They are among the official languages of the UN and are indispensable for working within the CIS countries and for official visits to the Commonwealth, European, and other countries, including the US. I've witnessed this firsthand over the past three years."
Zhaparov also expressed openness to the idea of English-language schools in Kyrgyzstan. "If anyone wishes to establish an English-language school, our authorities will wholeheartedly support it. Diversifying the languages our people know will broaden their perspectives and understanding of various cultures. Our Kyrgyz language will continue to evolve and thrive," he said.
Reflecting on the past, Zhaparov noted that in the 1990s, there were villages in the republic where Kyrgyz was not spoken. "Conversely, today, the majority of people in rural areas do not speak Russian. This is primarily due to the lack of Russian language teachers in these areas. Without Russian and English, our young people will be confined to Kyrgyzstan, limiting their global opportunities."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Federation Council
Based on materials from TASS