Chapter 13: Perspectives and Problems in Education Reform in Kyrgyzstan: The Case of National Scholarship Testing

On June 30, 2002, 13,807 high school graduates from across the Kyrgyz Republic participated in the first annual National Scholarship Test. The purpose of this test was to provide, for the first time since independence, a nationwide objective assessment of the knowledge and skills of high school graduates applying for government scholarships to Kyrgyz public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Scholarships were subsequently distributed primarily based upon the test results. This testing initiative is arguably the most significant educational reform in recent Kyrgyzstan history. The paper reviews the successes and shortcomings of the testing initiative, discusses prospects for the continuation of the project, and highlights some potential challenges to further education reform in the Kyrgyz Republic.