Social Work Education in Kyrgyzstan: Challenges and Achievements
Kyrgyzstan faces challenges and celebrates achievements in the field of social work education. The Association of Social Work Alumni in the Kyrgyz Republic has been instrumental in advancing the profession. With the establishment of the Social Work Department at Bishkek Humanitarian University in 1994 and subsequent recognition of social work as a profession in 1998, Kyrgyzstan has made significant strides. The legal framework, accreditation of institutions, and involvement of local and international organizations in training social work specialists contribute to the development of the profession.
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Social work education in Kyrgyzstan: challenges and achievements Association of Social Work Alumni in the Kyrgyz Republic Ainuska Sheripkanova
Short summary about Kyrgyzstan Population 6.083 million (2016) Borders Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and China 94 percent of its territory is covered with snow Official languages Kyrgyz and Russian GDP per capita (nominal) 1077.04 USD (2016)
Development of Social Work Profession Establishment of Social Work Department at Bishkek Humanitarian University in 1994 With the initiative of Association of Social Workers of the KR and Ministry of Labor and Social Development in 1998 social work was registered as a profession
Legal framework on regulation of social work profession Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic Social workers in Kyrgyzstan were first brought into statutory professional regulation in 2012 (sets and promote standards of conduct and practice for the profession; maintain a register of professionals who met the standards; hold to account those who failed to adhere to the standards; and ensure high standards of education for social workers) Code of ethics of social workers Other relevant regulations and legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic
Accredited institutions for training of social work specialists Kyrgyz National University (Bachelor s degree, 4 years) Bishkek Humanitarian University (Bachelor s and Master s degree) Osh State University (Bachelor s degree, 4 years) Zhalalabad University (Bachelor s degree, 4 years) Pedagogical University named after I. Arabaev (Bachelor s and Master s degree) Institute of Social Development and Entrepreneurship (Bachelor s degree, 4 years) International University of Kyrgyzstan (Bachelor s and Master s degree)
Role of local and international organizations in training of social work specialists Local civil society organizations are acting as implementers of professional development trainings for social workers (quality and impact of these trainings, qualifications of the trainers are questionable) International organizations mainly act as donors and fund various social work related trainings
Challenges of social work education in Kyrgyzstan Gap between education, training and practice application High turnover (low wages, low status of social work in the country) Lack of professional support and guidance of social work specialists in state and municipal organizations/supervision; Lack of the third cycle of education in social work in Kyrgyzstan The professional community is not commissioned to establish the standards. Absence of one centralized educational institution which could examine the knowledge and skills of social workers and provide licensing and further professional career development or in-service training for state and municipal social workers without specific social work education
Challenges of social work education in Kyrgyzstan Universities, non-profit organizations and state social institutions closely cooperate to fill the gap in social work education, training and practice application Social Work Alumni Association of the Kyrgyz Republic (development of structured professional development courses for social workers on relevant topics, research center/think tank) Social work education should adapt a business model Leadership and management
Achievements of SW education in Kyrgyzstan Guidelines on status of a social worker developed by Ministry of Labor and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic in December 2017 (under consideration) Outsourcing of state social services (crisis shelters, training of foster families, care for children with disability etc.) Increased understanding of social work as a profession among the general public Stable wages of social workers working in state and municipal institutions (local self-governance, schools) in Kyrgyzstan
