VZCZCXRO6488
PP RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHEK #0948/01 2630710
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190710Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1359
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2657
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0057
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3046
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2431
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000948 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KPAO KG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH KYRGYZ MINISTER OF EDUCATION 
 
BISHKEK 00000948  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: On September 12, the Ambassador met with Kyrgyz 
Minister of Education Boldjurova.  Boldjurova expressed pride in the 
steps made over the years to improve the level of education in 
Kyrgyzstan, but acknowledged that there should be a renewed focus on 
improving teacher quality.  The Ambassador pressed Boldjurova to 
respond to several USAID initiatives that would help improve parts 
of the education sector.  The Ambassador also described plans being 
developed by Peace Corps to provide new teaching materials to rural 
schools and to work with students during the anticipated long winter 
break.  End Summary. 
 
Tradition of Goodwill 
--------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) On September 12, the Ambassador held an introductory 
meeting with Minister of Education Ishengul Boldjurova.  Boldjurova 
opened the meeting by expressing her gratitude for all the 
assistance non-governmental organizations an USAID have provided 
Kyrgyzstan.  She said this has created a tradition of goodwill 
between her ministry and these groups.  Boldjurova particularly 
pointed to efforts by USAID and the Embassy's Democracy Commission 
to support academic honesty in universities and the National 
Scholarship Testing Project as areas of success. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Boldjurova did acknowledge that more attention must be 
focused on quality of teachers and implementing modern teaching 
methodologies.  She said schools need to be friendlier to students, 
and schools need to be teaching students those skills that are 
needed in their regions.  While Boldjurova demurred when asked 
specifically what additional resources were needed, she said that 
she wanted to ensure that all assistance from the various donors was 
coordinated through her ministry. 
 
USAID Stands Ready to Help, If You'll Only Let It 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador thanked Boldjurova for her kind words, and 
pointed to USAID's basic education project as a concrete way the 
United States could help shore up a lagging portion of the 
educational sector.  She noted that USAID has been waiting since 
August for the Ministry's approval of a memorandum of understanding 
in order to begin work.  USAID had coordinated with donors and 
provided a matrix of proposed activities and responsibilities to the 
ministry, but had not received any positive response.  The 
Ambassador also noted she shared the belief that the National 
Scholarship Testing Project is an important initiative and that she 
stands ready to discuss any concerns the Ministry may have over the 
program. 
 
Peace Corps Educational Initiatives 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador informed Boldjurova that a group of Peace 
Corps volunteers have almost finished writing a comprehensive 
Kyrgyz-English grammar book and an English-to-Kyrgyz dictionary for 
students studying English in rural areas.  She also said that Peace 
Corps is interested in working with the ministry to develop programs 
that could be implemented by volunteers during the anticipated 
winter school shutdowns.  Volunteers have suggested working with 
teachers on creating curricula and conducting short English language 
camps.  Boldjurova was very appreciative of all Peace Corps' 
efforts. She directed her staff to work with Peace Corps to ensure 
that they received all possible assistance from the Ministry. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Boldjurova has been in her position nine months, a 
relatively long tenure for a position that has had 11 ministers in 
the past 10 years.  While there have been difficulties with this 
Ministry on a number of issues, it is encouraging to note that on 
September 16, USAID received their first positive signals from the 
 
BISHKEK 00000948  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Ministry on their memorandum of understanding.  It is possible our 
relations with this Ministry will be taking a turn for the better. 
 
Gfoeller