In Turkmenistan large-scale work is currently underway in order to modernize the national educational system and develop science in higher educational institutions, and bring them to the level of the developed states. The “Law on Education” was adopted in the framework of the large scale support given by the government under the leadership of the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov since he was elected to the office in 2007.
Education in Turkmenistan is considered as the key element in the implementation of innovative development strategies of the country. For the last 10 years, Turkmenistan has been adopting advanced and innovative world practices in its education system taking its national interests and spiritual principles into account. The government gives special importance to the basic computer and language literacy in the elementary schools, introduction of up-to-date interactive methodology of teaching in the secondary schools, and participation in the international educational programs.
The intensive construction of new pre-schools, elementary schools, secondary schools and higher educational institutions is being carried out throughout the country. Modern information and communication technologies have been introduced into the educational system in order to increase the quality and effectiveness of teaching techniques. Schools and universities have been equipped with modern computers and multimedia tools.
For the time being, there are 1852 secondary schools, 1053 preschool institutions, 24 higher educational institutions, 128 schools of professional education and 42 technical schools and secondary professional schools throughout Turkmenistan. The number of the educational institutions will be increased continuously every year. Moreover, 10 research institutes work under the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan where important researches on physics and mathematics, chemistry, geology and technical sciences, medicine, biology, agricultural sciences and humanities are carried out. The Academy serves as the coordinating centre of the researches, carried out by the higher educational establishments and research institutes of the ministries and agencies.
Following the principle of “No borders for education”, Turkmenistan also develops cooperation with the The United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture as well as with well-known scientific and educational centers in Asia, Europe and the United States of America. The country successfully realizes joint projects aimed at training highly professional specialists. For the last decade, thousands of Turkmen students have graduated from the prestigious universities of Russia, Belarus, China, Malaysia, Romania, and Turkey.
As emphasized by the President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov repeteadly, education is a solid base of harmonic development of Turkmenistan. Thus, the main goal of the current educational reforms carried out throughout the country is the formation of a new generation with high morals and strong knowledge of modern technologies. Their training and education is one of the decisive factors for further prosperity of modern Turkmenistan.
Source: Atavatan Turkmenistan News Agency (ATHA)