The improvement of education as the foundation of a society’s spiritual, social, economic, and cultural progress constitutes one of the priority directions of Turkmenistan’s development. Any forward movement — especially in our modern era, the era of the global information society — sets serious demands on the development of educational systems and technologies, prompting us to seek new forms and methods of teaching.
In this regard, Turkmenistan’s education system clearly demonstrates its ability to respond adequately to the challenges of our time and the rapid pace of development. This is reflected in the training of qualified specialists who possess modern innovative technologies, citizens capable of solving the complex tasks of the information age, as well as in the transformation of the learning process itself in accordance with the best international practices.
The recently adopted “Concept for Improving Teaching Methods for General Education Programs in Turkmenistan until 2028” and the “Strategy for the Development of Higher Professional Education in Turkmenistan for 2026–2052”, approved in October of this year by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, are aimed precisely at achieving these goals.
The implementation of the provisions outlined in these fundamental and forward-looking documents will undoubtedly contribute to the creation of new educational and methodological systems, the development of national educational software, and the active integration of Turkmenistan’s education sector into the global educational space.
The adopted Strategy, based on international standards and national experience, provides for the further improvement of the higher professional education management system, the introduction of modern planning and management mechanisms taking into account demographic indicators, labor market development and economic planning, and the formation of a competitive national environment for higher education founded on advanced teaching methods, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence.
A large-scale modernization of educational activities is also planned — through state and international accreditation, continuous professional development of teaching and administrative staff, the creation of modern mechanisms for interaction between science, education, industry, and business, improvement of the material and technical base of higher educational institutions, and efforts to include Turkmen universities in leading international academic rankings.
As is well known, higher education in Turkmenistan is represented by universities, academies, institutes, and a conservatory, as well as departmental institutions. Education is conducted in Turkmen, English, Russian, and other foreign languages. Both bachelor's and specialist’s degree programs are retained. Turkmenistan develops its higher education system in accordance with international norms and is actively integrating into the Bologna Process.
The quality requirements for education are clearly set out in the Law “On Education of Turkmenistan”, which states that this requires the use of innovative teaching methods and modern educational programs that meet the needs and abilities of students; teaching by qualified, trained, and motivated educators who apply modern psychological and pedagogical approaches and rely on appropriate technologies, scientific information, and communication tools; as well as the existence and improvement of systems and methods for assessing the quality of education — including evaluation of teaching means and processes and mechanisms for measuring achieved outcomes.
The education development strategy can be viewed as a roadmap based on traditional values and oriented toward the future. The fundamental principles of the state policy in education include ensuring the unity of the national educational space and preserving and developing ethnocultural characteristics and traditions. Its strategic priorities encompass human capital development, the strengthening of traditional moral and spiritual values, culture and historical memory, sustainable economic growth on a new technological basis, and the development of a secure information environment.
Today, in accordance with the Presidential Program for the Socio-Economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2022–2028, the national education system stands at the crossroads of new challenges and opportunities. Particular attention is given to the integration of digital technologies, the development of environmental and entrepreneurial competencies among young people, and the strengthening of vocational education. These areas form an integral part of our national strategy.
Turkmenistan’s education system is now in a phase of active modernization, aimed at achieving international quality standards, integrating innovative approaches, and realizing the goals of sustainable development. With strong state support and international cooperation — including Erasmus+ projects and partnerships with UNESCO and other reputable international organizations — conditions are being created for the training of professionals capable of effectively meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
As for Turkmenistan’s educational system itself, it demonstrates steady growth dynamics, reflecting the government’s commitment to the principles of quality, inclusivity, and sustainability. The Erasmus+ program plays an important role in its gradual modernization, supporting Turkmenistan’s international integration, the development of digitalization, and the strengthening of higher professional education.
The objectives of training highly qualified specialists under the digitalization program have led to the establishment of specialized educational institutions in our country, aimed at the in-depth study of foreign languages and other subjects.
It should be noted that the head of state attaches great importance to young people learning foreign languages, as language is the main means of communication and the expression of advanced ideas. In this regard, at all levels of education — starting from preschool institutions — effective measures are being taken to improve the teaching of foreign languages, students’ linguistic and communicative skills, and the integration of innovative linguistic technologies into the learning process.
The role of new technologies in language learning has become one of the key priorities in Turkmenistan’s education system. The study of foreign languages has been included as a compulsory subject in general and professional education programs.
In accordance with the Concept for Improving the Teaching of Foreign Languages in Turkmenistan, work is being carried out to study global best practices in methodology, modernize curricula and syllabi at all levels of education, improve teacher training and professional development systems, and create a continuous, coherent, and interconnected system of foreign language instruction.
However, the main goal of all policy documents adopted in the field of education remains the same — to educate and nurture a highly literate young generation of true patriots, who know their people’s history, take pride in their country’s achievements, and strive to multiply the glory of independent Turkmenistan.
Vera Niyazova,
Senior Lecturer, Dovletmammet Azadi National Institute of World Languages
