Education minister on pupils and teachers shortage problem

Bishkek, May 20, 2019. /Kabar/. 150 thousand first-graders are expected to enrol in schools in 2019-2020 academic year in Kyrgyzstan, Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Gulmira Kudaiberdiyeva told during the press conference at Kabar News Agency.
According to her data, more than 96 thousand schoolchildren graduate the ninth grade, while about 50 thousand children has graduating this year the eleventh grade.
"1,866 schools (86%) in the country are connected to the Internet. Also, 91 schools received the status of experimental schools, where different types of laboratories were introduced. For example, multimedia, physics and chemistry, as well as robotics, "Kudaiberdiyeva said.
In addition, the minister said that hot meals were provided in 1,371 schools with the support of the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) project and technical support from Mercyco organization.
The minister also raised the issue of the shortage of teachers in schools. She said that there are about 400 vacancies in schools.
According to her data, the biggest shortage of teachers in schools is in Bishkek and Chui Oblast. "We believe that this situation is due to internal migration. There are 76 vacancies in Bishkek and Chui Oblast and about 400 in the country. There is an acute shortage of natural science teachers (chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, etc.)," Kudaiberdiyeva said.
The minister noted that the number of children in schools has increased by 18% in total. "Of course, this situation is good, but there is need to solve the problems with the construction of new schools and kindergartens for children's access to quality education," the minister said.