TURKMENISTAN: CABINET OF MINISTERS AGAIN PUSHES EDUCATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000812

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, EUR/ACE, IIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CABINET OF MINISTERS AGAIN PUSHES EDUCATION

REFORM


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


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In an extended meeting on June 23, the Cabinet of
Ministers discussed, at length, education reform, including planned
increases for matriculation into higher education and vocational
schools and state support of students, teachers and study-abroad
programs. While the discussion seemed to build upon previous
statements of intent regarding reform, real questions remain as to
the political will of the government or the Education Ministry, the
availability of qualified teachers, and corruption in the
educational system. END SUMMARY.


3. (U) President Berdimuhamedov led an extended meeting of the
Cabinet of Ministers to discuss issues of education reform. He
signed an official resolution to establish the "Revival" center with
the Turkmen state publishing house, which will work to increase the
number of books at libraries and educational organizations. He also
signed a resolution for increasing study-abroad programs and
guaranteeing work for those returning with foreign degrees. So far,
further details are unavailable.


4. (U) Education Minister Annaamanov cited increases in
matriculation to higher education and special professional schools,
which provide the equivalent of a U.S. associate degree. Enrollment
into higher education increased by approximately 10% from last year,
while special professional school enrollment increased by
approximately 5%. Additionally, many institutions are beginning to
feature new specializations and courses, including Italian and
Chinese language courses, "international journalism," and
"international financial markets." The cabinet also stressed the
campaign to widen the scope of state entrance exams, which will
feature three components - one primary specialization, one special
subject and knowledge of the Ruhnama. (NOTE: Although Ruhnama tests
are still required, many of the embassy's education contacts
informally report that the emphasis on the test is waning, and that
the test itself covers general knowledge of history and culture,
instead of the previous expectation that students recite exact
passages or words of praise for Turkmenistan's first president. END
NOTE.) All programs, as before, require passing exams in Turkmen
language which tends to disadvantage those who study in Russian
language secondary schools.


5. (U) Deputy Chairman of Finance Geldimyradov proclaimed the
state's role in supporting middle-school (equivalent to Western
high-school) students to advance to higher education or an associate
degree. The cabinet publicly recognized the problem of unemployment
and advocated for a number of programs aimed at providing for those
graduating from middle school who are unable to enter university.
Currently, over 100,000 students per graduating class are not able
to continue their education after middle school.


6. (U) It was also reported that the discussion brought up and
reiterated a commitment to a series of reforms from last year about
raising teachers' salaries and student stipends. Similarly, other
ministers discussed new policy measures; the possibility of
Turkmenistan banks giving stipends to help poorer students complete
their education; opening new study-abroad programs; and guaranteeing
work in appropriate fields for those returning with foreign
diplomas. Other areas included commitments to improving the
technology of the schools, including smart boards, Internet, and the
acquisition of foreign periodicals.


7. (U) The details of the education reform were published in the
next day's edition of the official newspaper, "Neutral
Turkmenistan," which is widely circulated. The paper also featured
a "classifieds"-style section listing the new concentrations and
programs and giving details on how to apply.


8. (SBU) COMMENT: While the transparent nature of the process
(detailed press coverage, newspaper applications for academic
institutions) seems to support earlier claims made by officials
regarding education reform, it remains to be seen whether or not
Berdimuhamedov and education officials have the capacity to carry
through with actually transforming the Soviet-style education

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system. Though the increased number of specializations or "majors"
at the universities is laudable, it is important to note the
shortage of qualified teaching personnel as well as the paradoxical
nature of teaching a subject like "international journalism" in a
country that has a state-controlled media and has limited access to
information from abroad in the past. Similarly, while it is
important to praise the government in its efforts to increase
matriculation, thousands of middle-school graduates are unable to
continue on to higher education or vocational programs and are
forced to find low-paying or menial jobs. Although the entrance
exams aim to cut back on corruption and make the education system
more merit-based, there is still wide-spread evidence of bribery and
the advancement of students solely through personal connections.
END COMMENT.

HOAGLAND