A new school for Bishkek
Although I am by no means an expert on the subject, as a former teacher I take a keen interest in questions relating to education in Kyrgyzstan.
Until recently, that was mainly an “academic” interest, (no pun intended), but, recently, it has become more pointed as the kids’ schooling has been disrupted by the events of last year and the heating crisis which closed for several weeks a few months ago. Sometimes I am impressed by the standards achieved by individuals, but at others I am surprised by certain aspects of the system.
Expats who have children of school age, (or approaching school age), however, have a much more direct interest in the question. Some are able to arrange for education at home, but others have their children here in Kyrgyzstan and they obviously want the best possible education available for them here, and one which preferably will reflect the sort of education “back home”, teaching primarily in English and enable an easy transition if, and when, the family relocate.
The options for a “European style” education in Bishkek are limited. There are a number of “International Schools” but none of them offers education leading towards the International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate, and none of them offer teaching in French or German. (The International Baccalaureate programme is widely recognized as one of the leading educational systems in the world, with completion of the programme through secondary school and diploma opening the way to top universities worldwide.)
A group of parents, (not all of the them expats), have decided to establish a “European School” which would fill this gap. They plan have gone through the formal procedures for registration as a non-profit foundation and plan to open in September 2011. At first, they will be catering for just the primary school age range, (from 3 to 9), but are hoping to be able to extend this to cover older pupils (from 10 to 19) in due course.
As a result they are looking to recruit staff. Anyone who wants to know more, or might be interested in applying for a post, can find more information about the school, structure and contact details, on their website: www.europeanschool.kg.
Like the school, the site is new and not yet complete. Nor is it as flashy as some of those for other schools with whom it hopes to compete.
What’s more, as a new venture, if doesn’t yet have all the facilities, staff and so forth in place, not does it have a proven track record to parade before parents of prospective pupils or to have to live up.
Also, as a private school, it’s not exactly cheap especially when the family has two or more siblings to enroll. But then again, it has been founded by parents who know the value of education and they have presumably taken this into account in their planning.
With all these caveats, it’s understandable if you may be asking yourselves, why am I bothering to write a postcard about it?
Let me say straight away that I do not have a vested interest. I am not connected with the school in any way, (apart, that is, from knowing some of the people that are involved).
They are parents who know what they want for their children and are prepared to do something about it, rather than simply sit back and accept whatever is offered to them, (and then whingeing and moaning that about it later).
More to the point, however, I was impressed that they were prepared to enter into such an enterprise and commitment at this time. It struck me as a positive sign demonstrating some belief in the future of the country.
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Would you believe it, but no sooner had I posted this, in the email arrived a message with an attachment containing more information for parents and an “intent to enroll” form … which, if you are interested, you can download here:
Info for Parents Intent Form ENG.
Bishkek