Republic-wide testing system reduces corruption in Kyrgyz education

Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva, the Minister of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, defended the Republic-wide Testing (ORT) as a successful tool for fighting corruption and ensuring equal opportunities in the education system.

During a conference in Bishkek, she noted that the system has functioned for 25 years to provide a transparent way for students to enter universities. The minister described the ORT as a successful partnership between the state and the private sector.

She acknowledged that teachers and parents initially struggled to understand the new testing format compared to traditional exams. To address these challenges, the government introduced digital tools like the Bulak platform to help students prepare for exams independently. Kendirbaeva also identified areas for improvement, such as the need for better teacher training in modern analytical methods. She highlighted that between 10,000 and 20,000 children in Kyrgyzstan still lack access to educational opportunities.

The ministry plans to further automate services through the Tunduk system and integrate them with public service centers to improve accessibility.