Date of publication:
01/07/2026
Kyrgyzstan
Do domestic laws and policies provide for specialized forms of education tailored to the needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons?
Assessment by population
Analysis
The irrational legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of education provides for the provision of educational services in the state (Kyrgyz) and official (Russian) languages. However, the legal framework does not ontain special rules governing the access of asylum seekers and refugees to education in their native languages. The Law "On Education" of August 11, 2023 №179 allows the use of other languages in the educational process, but this rule is of a general nature and does not provide for the creation of specialized programs aimed at meeting the linguistic and educational needs of refugee children. According to Article 35 of the Law, additional education is aimed at developing the individual in accordance with his or her inclinations and interests and can be carried out by both educational institutions and individual entrepreneurs. Additional education programs are developed and approved independently, which opens up the possibility of adapting these programs to the specific needs of students, including refugee children. However, the implementation of such programs requires the availability of teaching staff, educational and methodological support, as well as a material and technical base, which actually limits the availability of such services. The Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic dated August 27, 2024 № 519 which approved The Model Regulation on General Education Organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic allows schools to implement additional educational programs, including catch-up and remedial education programs, if the necessary conditions exist. However, the implementation of such programs remains optional and depends on the capabilities of a specific educational organization. Thus, the legislation does not require refugee children to be provided with specialized educational services, including language training. In practice, this creates a situation in which refugee children face serious obstacles in integrating into the education system. Gaps in learning associated with forced displacement, insufficient knowledge of the language of instruction, as well as the consequences of traumatic experiences significantly complicate these children's access to education on an equal basis with citizens of the country. National legislation, although it allows for the development of additional educational programs, does not oblige educational institutions to take into account the specific needs of refugee children, which does not comply with international standards in the field of refugees' rights to education.
Related provisions of domestic law or policy
The Law of Kyrgyz Republic On Education
- Year: 2023
- Type: Domestic law
- Rights Category: Education
- Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2023/ru/150142
Legal provision
Article 11 - Language of Instruction
1. Language policy in educational institutions is implemented in accordance with the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2. The state creates conditions for teaching each citizen the state, official and one foreign language at all levels of education. 3. Educational services may be provided in a foreign language in compliance with the principle of multilingual education. 4. In accordance with international treaties that have entered into force in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, the state facilitates the acquisition of education in the state language of the Kyrgyz Republic by ethnic Kyrgyz living outside the Kyrgyz Republic. Representatives of all ethnic groups living in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic are guaranteed the right to create conditions for the study and development of their native language.
Article 35 - Supplementary Education
1. Supplementary education is aimed at developing a person as an individual, in accordance with his or her inclinations and interests, and is carried out outside the framework of formal education. Supplementary education includes: 1) supplementary education for children; 2) supplementary education for adults; 3) supplementary vocational education. 2. Supplementary education is provided by educational organizations of any type, regardless of their form of ownership, or by individuals (individual entrepreneurs) providing supplementary education services. Supplementary educational programs are developed and approved by educational organizations and individuals (individual entrepreneurs) independently. 3. The list, procedure, and conditions for the provision of supplementary educational programs financed from the republican budget are determined by the Cabinet of Ministers. 4. Supplementary education may be provided on a fee-paying basis in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic. 5. The conditions, amounts, and procedure for paying for supplementary educational services of private educational organizations and individuals (individual entrepreneurs) are determined by them independently. 6. Educational programs of additional professional education are developed taking into account professional knowledge, skills and qualification requirements in accordance with the national qualifications system.