Kyrgyz Education Roundtable Identifies Worrying Trends

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000743 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO SCUL PGOV PREL PINR KG SUBJECT: Kyrgyz Education Roundtable Identifies Worrying Trends BISHKEK 00000743 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Ambassador Yovanovitch participated in a roundtable discussion of education systems with Russian television host Vladimir Posner on May 28 at the American University of Central Asia. The group, which included Kyrgyz officials, did not agree on one best model for Kyrgyzstan. Some participants argued that academic independence is a necessary condition for academic excellence, while Ministry of Education officials said that Kyrgyzstan is not ready for such freedom. The discussion did raise important questions about the government's role in education, attitude problems with students, and the rise of religion in education. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On May 28, American University in Central Asia (AUCA) organized a discussion on "Liberal Arts and Trends in Education Development" to coincide with Russian television host Vladimir Posner's visit to Kyrgyzstan. The discussion was also done to bolster the understanding of a liberal arts education. AUCA President Ellen Hurwitz gathered officials from the Ministry of Education, several former Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, business leaders, and AUCA faculty. Posner kicked off the discussion with his view that American-style education teaches students to be creative and to ask questions, and the Russian style is to memorize and process information. ¶3. (U) The issue of academic independence from the government was raised by businessman and AUCA board member Emil Umetaliev. He argued that Kyrgyzstan should establish itself as a center of academic excellence to build its economy, but that freedom for universities to establish their own standards is a necessary precondition for this. Posner, Umetaliev, and new AUCA vice president Bermet Tursunkulova all agreed that too much regulation contributes to apathy and even behavioral problems among students. ¶4. (U) Officials from the Ministry of Education noted that U.S. universities head the list of best universities in the world; however, they also argued that educational standards should be set locally and not internationally. Moreover, they said, Kyrgyzstan as a society is not ready either in terms of cultural mentality for such freedom or in terms of educational quality. The Ambassador agreed that the process requires time and is connected to economic growth. She pointed out that that flexibility and freedom from the government for both students and universities would help improve the education system. ¶5. (U) Several educators and administrators from AUCA complained about the prevalence of cheating among students in Kyrgyzstan and about the generally irresponsible attitude towards education among the young. According to the Dean of the Management School at AUCA, there is an underdeveloped appreciation for education in Kyrgyzstan, since even the smartest students can't explain why they want to study at AUCA. ¶6. (U) The influence of religion on education was highlighted as a potentially serious concern by former Foreign Minister (and current MP) Rosa Otunbayeva. She said that no one was keeping track of the many madrassahs operating in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the south of the country. She argued that religion is changing previously secular education systems across Central Asia and that it could hold back the development of Kyrgyzstan. Posner agreed that religion can have a harmful effect on education. However, he did not see this effect as limited to Islam, as both Poland and Russia are seeing the Catholic and Orthodox churches, respectively, interfere in education. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: While the participants did not agree on any one single model of education for Kyrgyzstan, many speakers at this roundtable supported greater academic freedom for institutions. In Kyrgyzstan, AUCA stands out as a model of liberal education and critical thinking. At a time when AUCA faces difficulties with the government over attestation and property rights, this discussion was a useful reminder of the importance of an institution such as AUCA BISHKEK 00000743 002.2 OF 002 to the development of Kyrgyzstan. LITZENBERGER