Bishkek deputy criticizes school quality, cites ORT average of 120

September 18, 2026 at 01:34 PM2 min

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Bishkek city council deputy Tatyana Kuznetsova criticized the quality of education in the capital's schools at a social issues commission meeting on September 19, 2026. She said schools lack textbooks, furniture, and teachers, and that the average score on the National Testing (ORT) in Bishkek is only 120. Education department head Zhanybek Orozaliev reported that 1.1 billion soms were allocated for school repairs in 2026, up from 200 million in previous years.

Key Facts

Deputy Tatyana Kuznetsova said the average ORT score in Bishkek is 120.
Education department head Zhanybek Orozaliev said 1.1 billion soms were allocated for school repairs in 2026, compared to up to 200 million in previous years.
Kuznetsova called for a revision of the 2027 budget, saying current funding for school maintenance is unacceptable.
In 2025, 73 million soms were allocated for school furniture, and 80 million soms are budgeted for 2026.
Kuznetsova said schools have only one camera in the principal's office and 1-2 interactive panels per school, instead of at least 20.

Criticism of School Conditions

Deputy Tatyana Kuznetsova told the Bishkek city council's social issues commission that capital schools lack textbooks, furniture, and teachers. She questioned how high student achievement can be claimed when the average ORT score in Bishkek is only 120. Kuznetsova accused district education centers of understating schools' needs. She said the education department has sufficient funds and schools are being built, yet the quality percentage remains low.

Budget and Equipment Gaps

Education department director Zhanybek Orozaliev said funding for municipal school repairs reached 1.1 billion soms in 2026, up from 200 million in previous years. Furniture allocations rose from 73 million soms in 2025 to 80 million soms planned for 2026. Kuznetsova called the amount for school maintenance unacceptable and urged a revision of the 2027 budget. She said purchasing computers and desks with such small sums is not permissible. Kuznetsova disputed claims of 100 percent provision, citing one camera in the principal's office and only 1-2 interactive panels per school instead of at least 20.