Meeting Brief: Forum for Public School Directors in Kyrgyzstan (FORUM)
Date: June 15, 2024
Location: American University of Central Asia (AUCA), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
On June 15, 2024, the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) hosted a pivotal conference for Public School Directors in Kyrgyzstan, generously supported by the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic. The event gathered key stakeholders, including school directors, policymakers, and development partners, to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts aimed at improving the quality of public education in Kyrgyzstan.
The conference opened with remarks from Dr. Rasul Abazbek uulu, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, who emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing education. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like this in ensuring the perspectives of Public School Directors are integrated into national education policy. The event also benefited from the insights of Professor Tamo Chattopadhay, Director of the Institute of Education at AUCA, who stressed the value of professional capital and expressed gratitude for the participants’ active engagement.
Public School Directors from across Kyrgyzstan shared their experiences in school management, community engagement, and the broader changes in education. Discussions addressed challenges such as limited resources, teacher shortages, and the need to create a community of Public School Directors for collaboration and knowledge exchange.
A roundtable discussion featured prominent education leaders, including Toktomambetov Almazbek, Director of the Republican Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining of Pedagogical Workers, and Tomoya Sonoda, Chief Education Officer at UNICEF Kyrgyzstan. The discussion focused on aligning national education policies with the practical needs of schools to better support the Public School Directors.
Participants also engaged in small group discussions to identify priorities and develop actionable steps for addressing the challenges raised. Focus areas included establishing a platform or community of motivated professionals to collaborate on enhancing leadership in school management and sharing expertise in the role of school directors. Each group presented their findings, which will guide future actions within the FORUM initiative.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Timothy O’Connor, President of the American University of Central Asia. Dr. O’Connor underscored the importance of sustained collaboration and encouraged participants to build on the momentum generated by the FORUM. Certificates of participation were awarded to attendees in recognition of their valuable contributions.
The FORUM conference was a resounding success, providing a platform for collaboration among school directors, policymakers, and development partners. It fostered constructive dialogue, identified key priorities, and set a clear action plan for advancing public education in Kyrgyzstan. Ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation will be essential in addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the education sector.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the U.S. Embassy in the Kyrgyz Republic and all participants for their invaluable contributions and dedication to improving education in Kyrgyzstan.
