TURKMENISTAN: INTERNET ACCESS HIGHLIGHTED ON FIRST DAY OF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001152

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, SCA/PPD, ECA, IIP
AID/W FOR EE/EA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: INTERNET ACCESS HIGHLIGHTED ON FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL


1. (SBU) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: To mark the opening of the new school year,
President Berdimuhamedov opened impressive white-marbled educational
facilities that highlighted his emphasis on Internet and technology
in the classroom and sports. Some elements of the opening
ceremonies resembled Niyazov-era events in style, but some of the
substance was a clear improvement over the first President's
education policy. END SUMMARY.

OPENING CEREMONIES


3. (U) In typical, official-Turkmen ceremonial fashion, President
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov opened new schools and a new university
building to mark the first day of school, September 1, following the
summer break. In Ashgabat, the president opened newly constructed
schools 76 and 77, and a new Physics and Mathematics building at
Turkmen State University. In addition, while using the Internet
computer lab in school no. 77, Berdimuhamedov blessed and viewed the
opening of school no. 5 in Gypchak village (east of Ashgabat) via
Internet link as well as schools in Turkmenabat and Yoklary Gengesh.
The openings were covered at length on Turkmen State TV's "WATAN"
evening news program, and repeated the following day. TV coverage
showed the President joining students in classrooms and science
labs, as well as observing sports activities in newly-built sports
facilities.


4. (SBU) There was a heavy emphasis on technology in the science
labs. Each student had a piece of state of the art lab equipment,
even if it didn't quite fit. There was a microscope in a Physics
lab. One Physics lab had lasers and another instruments to measure
wavelength. The Biology lab had large plastic eyes and hearts. The
president admired Turkmen language Chemistry books in that class.


5. (SBU) Reminiscent of Niyazov-era events, the ceremonies included
crowds of cheering students waving flags and balloons, multiple
music and dance performances, as well as many well-rehearsed
declarations of gratitude to the President for the new school
buildings and facilities. The continued focus on infrastructure and
aesthetics were typical, with no mention of programmatic elements
such as teacher training or curricula development.

INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY TAKE CENTER STAGE


6. (SBU) In contrast to Niyazov-era school openings, a large focus
was placed on use of Internet and satellite links to other
government institutions and locations in Turkmenistan. In addition
to opening school no. 5 in Gypchak via the Internet, the President
noted that the schools were linked to the "Virtual Silk Road"
network, originally sponsored by NATO, and expressed his thanks to
the diplomatic corps for such support. Also highlighted were a
wireless Internet classroom with laptop computers, as well as
language learning laboratories, computer classes, science labs, and
many of the now ubiquitous multimedia boards for classroom teaching.


SPORTS RETURN TO SCHOOLS


7. (SBU) Another contrast to Niyazov-era schools was the heavy
emphasis placed on gymnasiums, swimming pools, and other sports
facilities. TV coverage showed the president watching children swim
laps, play volleyball, basketball, practice gymnastics and other
multiple, well-staged athletic activities. In addition, close up
shots of posters displayed in sports facilities showed the
president, mountain biking, prepared for driving a brightly
decorated Kamaz truck, and also dressed in a full Tae Kwon Do outfit
with black belt while sparring or instructing a young boy in the
sport. (NOTE: Post is not aware of the president holding a black
belt. END NOTE.)


7. (SBU) COMMENT: Post sees Berdimuhamedov's emphasis on
education, Internet and sports as a positive sign of improvement

ASHGABAT 00001152 002 OF 002


over first President Niyazov's policies that decimated these fields.
These steps are a dramatic improvement over the situation less than
two years ago in education and should not be diminished by lack of
steady improvement in other areas. While the new facilities are
very impressive, post is aware of serious programmatic deficiencies
in teacher training, staffing levels, textbooks, and the real
availability of Internet to students or teachers - or their ability
to use the Internet. Unfortunately, most schools are still housed
in dilapidated Soviet-era buildings, and only a handful have
officially been wired for Internet. END COMMENT.

CURRAN