At the IV National Kurultai, one of the most frequently raised issues by delegates was the shortage of schools and the accessibility of state mortgage housing. President Sadyr Zhaparov provided detailed explanations on these topics, touching upon the transition to a 12 year education system, demographic growth, and the pricing policy of the State Mortgage Company.
"Hello, Sadyr Nurgozhoevich!"
"Hello!"
"Following the results of the IV National Kurultai, we would like to ask a question regarding the problems voiced. One of the most frequently raised topics in the speeches of delegates was the shortage of schools. It was noted that in some classes there are 40 to 50 students, in connection with which the delegates asked to resolve this issue. Is this situation related to the transition to 12 year education?"
No, it is in no way connected with the transition to 12 year education.
I have repeatedly noted this in my previous interviews.
This problem existed long before the implementation of 12 year schooling.
For example, in previous years, about 140,000 to 150,000 children were admitted to grades 1 and 2.
According to data from the "E-Kundoiluk" electronic diary, for the 2025–2026 academic year, the number of students was:
Grade 1 - 106,015 students,
Grade 2 - 124,593 students.
If we take it for comparison, in 2015 the total number of students was 1,043,356 people, while in 2025, over 10 years, the number of schoolchildren reached 1,536,633, increasing by almost 500,000.
This is due to demographic growth in the country, as well as the intensification of internal migration to urban centres, as a result of which, especially in cities, the need arose for the construction of additional schools and kindergartens.
Currently, systematic work is being carried out in this direction.
From the beginning of 2025 to the present day, the construction of 134 education facilities has been completed at the expense of the republican budget.
These include 60 schools and 28 kindergartens, and major renovation work has been carried out in 41 schools and 5 kindergartens.
In addition, the construction of 16 schools and 13 kindergartens (29 facilities in total) was financed through various sources, development funds, local budgets, sponsorship, and other funds.
In the republic as a whole, 163 education facilities have been completed at the expense of the republican budget and other sources of financing, of which 117 are new construction and 46 are major renovations.
While 15 schools were built in the city of Bishkek in 2022, in the new year it is planned to build 20 schools in the capital, 10 in the city of Osh, and 6 schools in the city of Manas.
Construction of schools will begin in February and will be completed in September.
It is in these three cities that the need for schools is highest today.
Thus, this problem will be solved in stages.
In addition, 216 schools and 107 kindergartens are currently at various stages of construction across the country.
In 2026, it is planned to fully complete and commission at least half of them.
As for the transition to 12 year education, this is a requirement of the times.
Firstly, it is a world standard; secondly, it is a requirement of the global education market.
In the conditions of modern realities, we must not lag behind the integration of the national education system into the global educational and labour space.
Neighbouring countries have already gone through this process or are at the stage of its implementation.
In 2029, the first graduates of the 12 year education system will receive certificates.
Otherwise, our graduates who have finished a school that does not meet international standards are forced to undergo an additional year of preparation when entering foreign universities.
The transition to a 12 year education system has become an objective necessity.
This is a global requirement. Without having access to the global educational space, we face difficulties in training specialists who meet the requirements of the world labour market.
It is extremely important for Kyrgyzstan to form human capital capable of competing in the global economy.
The 10 to 11 year education system fulfilled its historical mission; it was oriented towards serving the planned command economy.
Today, the training of competitive specialists for a market economy is a requirement of the times, and we must not lag behind these processes. This is a system that ensures early professional self-determination.
"Another question raised by delegates concerned housing being built by the State Mortgage Company (SMC)."
"It was noted that the cost of SMC apartments, in the opinion of a number of citizens, including labour migrants, is high. Is the possibility of reducing prices or expanding the list of social categories being considered?"
In this matter, we proceed from a long term perspective.
Firstly, housing provided through the SMC is issued for a period of 25 years without a down payment.
Thus, in the city of Bishkek, within the framework of the state housing programme for citizens on the waiting list, the cost of one square metre of housing, depending on the area of construction, ranges from 900 to 1,000 US dollar under the "Social", "Preferential", and "Affordable" mortgage directions.
Under the "Social Mortgage" (single mothers, persons with disabilities, guardians of persons with disabilities) and "Preferential Mortgage" (teachers, doctors, and in general citizens receiving wages from the state budget) directions, housing is provided at 4% per annum for a period of 25 years without a down payment.
Under the "Affordable Mortgage" direction (citizens employed in the private sector), it is provided at 8% per annum for a period of 25 years, also without a down payment.
According to the shared construction mechanism, the cost of one square metre of housing, depending on the location of the facility, ranges from 1,000 to 1,400 US dollar. Apartments are delivered in a "turnkey" format.
In suburban areas the price is lower, whereas in central areas, the so-called "elite" and "golden square" areas, it is higher.
As is known, housing sold on a shared basis is mainly offered to compatriots working abroad. Within the framework of this mechanism, citizens do not join the queue to receive housing, since they pay 50% of the cost of the apartment as a down payment. The remaining amount is paid in instalments for a period of up to 15 years.
If we compare it with market prices, in the same areas, the cost of one square metre in new buildings under construction without renovation (at the excavation level) reaches 2,000 to 3,000 US dollar.
At the same time, SMC facilities are offered in a fully completed form, according to the "turnkey" system, at a significantly more affordable price.
SMC is forced to sell housing with a small markup on the cost price. Otherwise, the company would not be able to carry out construction on such a scale as today. The funds of both citizens receiving apartments in order of priority and those who purchase housing out of turn on a shared basis with a 50% payment are directed towards ensuring the activities of the State Mortgage Company and allowing it to continue building new facilities.
According to the results of 2025, 4,662 families were provided with housing.
In 2024, this figure was 1,197 families. Currently, a total of 80,245 apartments with a total area of 5.4 million square metres are under construction in the republic.
In 2026, it is planned to commission a total of 20,021 apartments in the republic, including:
Bishkek — 6,323,
the Chuy region — 3,129,
Manas — 3,219,
the Issyk-Kul region — 2,266,
the Osh region — 1,458,
the city of Osh — 1,454,
the Batken region — 1,420,
the Naryn region — 433,
the Talas region — 319 apartments.
Thus, we are focusing on long term goals. Within the framework of SMC programmes, the task has been set to ensure the construction of modern residential buildings with European living conditions within 10 to 15 years, not only in cities but also in all rural settlements of the country. It is precisely such a historical mission that is assigned to the State Mortgage Company. If the SMC were to sell housing exclusively at cost price, in the future the company would not be able to fulfill this task.
Today, the company has turned into a major institution with a multi billion charter capital. The current size of the charter capital is 87.5 billion som, and in the future it is planned to bring it to 200 billion som.
In the case of selling housing exclusively at cost price, the company would face bankruptcy in the shortest possible time, since it is necessary to take into account the 25 year term of mortgage lending, the impact of inflation, as well as the minimum profitability of the company's activities. In this regard, the current pricing policy is justified.
At the same time, the possibility of forming a separate queue or providing additional benefits for labour migrants is being considered. The issue of further reducing the cost of housing for persons with disabilities will also be additionally analysed.
Reported by Kabar (Kyrgyzstan).
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Transition to 12 year education remains an urgent necessity. This was stated in an interview with the Kabar agency by President Sadyr Zhaparov, answering the question that one of the most frequently voiced problems at the National Kurultai was the shortage of schools and whether this is related to the...
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| Company | Solution | Result |
| LogisticService Transport Company | Implementation of GPS monitoring and telematics platform | 15% reduction in fuel consumption, 20% reduction in downtime |
| Northern Transport JSC | Use of IoT systems for temperature control | 30% reduction in commercial product losses |
| TransExpert Freight Carrier | Route optimisation with AI and machine learning | 25% increase in orders while maintaining cost levels |
In current conditions of rapid technological development and economic digitalisation, Russia stands on the threshold of a qualitative transformation in the freight transport sector. The implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS) is becoming a key factor in increasing logistics efficiency and optimising costs in freight transport. We consider the main trends of 2024 affecting the logistics market, as well as the influence of intelligent technologies on transport processes in Russia.
Intelligent transport systems comprise a complex of technologies, software solutions, and equipment aimed at the automation, monitoring, and analysis of transport processes. In the context of freight transport, ITS allow for route management, monitoring the condition of vehicles and cargo, predicting risks, and optimising expenses in real time. This is achieved through GPS navigation systems, telematics, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data.
Modern intelligent transport systems include a range of technological components, each playing an important role in the development of the freight transport sector.
GPS trackers allow for tracking the location of a vehicle in real time, providing data on speed, route, and travel time. Telematic systems analyse vehicle condition, engine diagnostics, and fuel consumption, which helps to increase safety and reduce operational costs.
IoT technologies integrate sensors installed on trucks and containers to collect information on temperature, humidity, vibrations, and other parameters critical for cargo safety. Such automation ensures a timely response to deviations and reduces the likelihood of damage to goods.
AI is applied to optimise routes taking into account traffic conditions, cargo load, and customer preferences. Machine learning systems predict potential delays and risks, allowing logisticians to make prompt decisions.
Analytical platforms process vast amounts of data collected from various sources, identifying bottlenecks in logistics chains and suggesting ways to eliminate them. This increases the efficiency of transport planning and management.
The use of ITS brings a significant effect for enterprises in the logistics industry and end customers. We consider the key advantages.
Intelligent systems allow for the calculation of the shortest and safest routes taking into account traffic, road conditions, weather, and restrictions. This contributes to fuel savings, reduced delivery times, and increased overall transport profitability.
Monitoring vehicle conditions and second-by-second monitoring of cargo parameters reduce risks of damage and theft. Systems alert dispatchers to emergency situations and schedule violations, providing the opportunity for prompt intervention.
ITS integrate with electronic accounting and document management systems, which allows for the minimisation of errors, speeds up the processing of freight bills and transport passports, and improves interaction between participants in the logistics chain.
Thanks to the transparency of logistics processes, customers gain access to information on the status of their cargo in real time, which builds trust and increases satisfaction with cooperation.
The freight transport market in Russia is actively adapting to new technologies, which is reflected in the following key directions of ITS development.
The creation of complex platforms combining vehicle monitoring, warehouse accounting, and data analysis functions is becoming the norm for large carriers. This allows for the centralised control of all stages of logistics and increases the transparency of business processes.
Pilot projects and trials of autonomous trucks equipped with intelligent navigation and obstacle detection systems are beginning, promising a revolution in reducing labour costs and increasing transport safety.
To ensure the reliability of contracts and the transparency of supply chains, logistics companies implement blockchain systems. This guarantees the immutability of shipping data and reduces risks of fraud.
ITS contribute to the environmental sustainability of freight transport by optimising routes, reducing emissions, and implementing electric vehicles based on intelligent charging and operation control platforms.
State support is an important factor for the large-scale implementation of ITS in the Russian freight transport sector. Several programs and regulations stimulate the development of digital technologies in logistics.
Within the framework of the Safe Quality Roads national project and the Digital Economy programme, digital services for transport infrastructure management are being implemented, directly affecting the development of ITS in freight transport.
Standards for interaction between all participants in freight flows using digital platforms are being developed and implemented, contributing to the reduction of barriers and accelerating system integration.
Logistics companies using innovative ITS solutions receive access to state grants and preferential loans, which stimulates investment in digitalisation.
Real cases demonstrate how the application of intelligent transport systems helps large and medium-sized companies achieve noticeable improvements in operation.
|
Company |
Solution |
Result |
|
LogisticService Transport Company |
Implementation of GPS monitoring and telematics platform |
15% reduction in fuel consumption, 20% reduction in downtime |
|
Northern Transport JSC |
Use of IoT systems for temperature control |
30% reduction in commercial product losses |
|
TransExpert Freight Carrier |
Route optimisation with AI and machine learning |
25% increase in orders while maintaining cost levels |
Despite the obvious advantages, the process of digitalising freight transport in Russia faces a number of difficulties and limitations.
Not all regions of the country have the necessary infrastructure for the stable operation of intelligent systems: high-speed internet, technical services, and integration between various logistics platforms remain a problem.
Investments in the acquisition and integration of modern technologies are significant, and the retraining and adaptation of personnel require time and additional resources.
The growth of digitalisation is accompanied by an increase in risks of cyberattacks and data leaks, which requires the strengthening of information security and the implementation of reliable protection protocols.
The absence of clear standards and uncertainty in the regulation of electronic transport documents complicate the use of ITS in daily business practice.
The future of the logistics sector in Russia is closely linked to the expansion of functionality and improvement of ITS capabilities. It is obvious that further development will be driven by the following directions:
ITS will interact with municipal infrastructure, traffic control systems, and other city services, increasing the mobility and environmental friendliness of freight transport.
Automated systems and robots will become an integral part of warehouse logistics and transport, significantly reducing the human factor and increasing safety.
Digital technologies will provide a more transparent, reliable, and faster format of interaction between shippers, carriers, and recipients.
ITS will contribute to the implementation of green models, the reduction of emissions, and the transition to renewable energy sources, which will become an important competitive advantage in the market.
Intelligent transport systems in Russian freight transport are not just a fashion trend of 2024, but a strategically important direction for the development of the entire transport and logistics industry. ITS technologies allow for a significant improvement in service quality, increase economic efficiency of transport, and reduce environmental damage. Despite existing challenges, state support, investments, and innovative solutions will make the digitalisation of freight transport a key driver of growth for the Russian economy in the coming years.
By Alexey Martynov for Gruzkomfort (Russia).
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