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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 
 
ASHGABAT 00000812  002 OF 002 
 
 
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