Research Article

Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan

Volume: 59 Number: 1 April 15, 2026
TR EN

Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan

Abstract

This study aims to qualitatively explore the perspectives of primary school teachers in Kyrgyzstan on equal opportunities in education (EOE). Conducted using a phenomenological design, the research collected data from 38 teachers (24 female, 14 male) working in the 2023-2024 academic year through semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected via criterion sampling, requiring them to be at least 30 years old with a minimum of 8 years of teaching experience. Thematic analysis, performed using MAXQDA 24, categorized the data into themes: experience, socioeconomic status, ability, teacher perceptions, access to education, and EOE specific to Kyrgyzstan. Findings indicate that teachers associate EOE with socioeconomic status, believing that children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have access to better educational opportunities. Disparities in infrastructure and teacher qualifications between rural and urban schools were identified as primary barriers to EOE. The study proposes increasing the education budget, prioritizing rural schools, implementing social support programs, and providing inclusive teacher training. By highlighting structural challenges in Kyrgyzstan’s education system, this research seeks to guide policymakers toward a more equitable and inclusive educational framework.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Philosophical and Social Foundations of Education, Curriculum and Instration (Other), Education Policy, Educational Sociology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 15, 2026

Submission Date

July 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 11, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 59 Number: 1

APA
İsmailbekova, A., & Gül, Y. E. (2026). Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), 59(1), 335-373. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1732813
AMA
1.İsmailbekova A, Gül YE. Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan. JFES. 2026;59(1):335-373. doi:10.30964/auebfd.1732813
Chicago
İsmailbekova, Aida, and Yavuz Ercan Gül. 2026. “Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59 (1): 335-73. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1732813.
EndNote
İsmailbekova A, Gül YE (April 1, 2026) Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59 1 335–373.
IEEE
[1]A. İsmailbekova and Y. E. Gül, “Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan”, JFES, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 335–373, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.30964/auebfd.1732813.
ISNAD
İsmailbekova, Aida - Gül, Yavuz Ercan. “Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES) 59/1 (April 1, 2026): 335-373. https://doi.org/10.30964/auebfd.1732813.
JAMA
1.İsmailbekova A, Gül YE. Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan. JFES. 2026;59:335–373.
MLA
İsmailbekova, Aida, and Yavuz Ercan Gül. “Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan”. Ankara University Journal of Faculty of Educational Sciences (JFES), vol. 59, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 335-73, doi:10.30964/auebfd.1732813.
Vancouver
1.Aida İsmailbekova, Yavuz Ercan Gül. Opportunities and Equalities in Education in Central Asia: The Case of Kyrgyzstan. JFES. 2026 Apr. 1;59(1):335-73. doi:10.30964/auebfd.1732813

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