Educational reform in focus of OSCE-organized visit by Turkmenistan representatives to the United Kingdom

LONDON, 18 December 2015 – Representatives of Turkmenistan’s Education Ministry, Mejlis (Parliament) and the National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights discussed international standards and best practices related to educational reforms during an OSCE-organized five-day study visit to London that concludes today.

The group was acquainted with the education system and educational reform process in the United Kingdom. They visited private and public schools as well as a teacher training institution and looked at their organization and curricula.

“Respect for the right to education is essential for ensuring harmonious development and social stability of young people,” said Vardon Deniz Hoca, Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “In the age of globalization, governments are required to reform their educational systems to meet modern international standards and best practices while also taking into account the specifics of education in diverse societies.”

The representatives from Turkmenistan discussed education-related legislation with a member of the House of Lords, the upper house of the British Parliament, and exchanged views on educational standards and programmes at meetings with representatives of the British Council and Ofsted, the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills.

“We believe this visit will contribute to continuing efforts by Turkmenistan’s government to advance its educational system and amend relevant legislation to underpin the necessary reform,” added Deniz Hoca.

Members of the delegation also visited a number of colleges of the University of Oxford.

The study visit was fully funded by the British Embassy in Ashgabat.