Starting 2013, graduates of Uzbek schools in Kyrgyzstan will not be able to take university admission tests in Uzbek language.

According to the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, starting 2013 national university admission tests will be held only in Kyrgyz and Russian.

According to official statistics, there are 91 schools in Kyrgyzstan with Uzbek language instruction. These schools teach some 112,000 students. Each year about three thousand students graduate from Uzbek schools of Kyrgyzstan.

Cancellation of university enrollment tests in Uzbek infringes rights of Uzbek school graduates to continue their studies in higher education institutions.

To shed some light to the issue, “Jarayon” interviewed Bakhtiyor Fattohov, president of the Uzbek National and Cultural Center in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Fattohov believes that the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science is the discrimination against ethnic Uzbeks living and studying in Kyrgyzstan.

Jarayon: Kyrgyzstan cancelled the national testing in Uzbek language. What is the position of the Republican Uzbek National and Cultural Center on this issue?

Bakhtiyar Fattohov: The Constitution of Kyrgyzstan clearly states that “the state should create conditions to allow citizens to defend their rights,” and “no state agency has a right to make a decision contrary to human rights.” In addition, the Constitution says that “the laws and norms of international laws are more important than the national laws and regulations.”

And a section of the Constitution on “freedom and rights” guarantees “the right of everyone to education in the language they wants to, or in their mother language.” This sections states that no state agency has the right to make decisions that discriminate persons on grounds of ethnicity or gender.

Based on this, we believe that the decision of the Ministry of Education and Science is the direct discrimination against the Uzbek ethnicity and violation of rights of ethnic Uzbeks.

What does the cancelling of enrollment exams in Uzbek mean to all of us? Firstly, in order to be eligible for state-sponsored education in universities of Kyrgyzstan one must pass the nationwide test (widely known by its Russian acronym ORT – Jarayon). Hence, the abolition of national enrollment tests in Uzbek is to deny the rights of Uzbek high school graduates to higher education sponsored by the state. Isn’t it an open humiliation, discrimination?

Jarayon: What measures the national-cultural center intends to take to tackle this issue?

Bakhtiyar Fattohov: I have an appointment with Kanat Sidikov, Minister of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan. We plan to meet with him in coming days and demand cancellation of the decision, which violates the right of Uzbek youth. If our demand is not fulfilled, we will protect the rights of Uzbek graduates in court, and, if it is necessary, go to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Of course, Uzbek students must learn Kyrgyz language, which is a state language, and it is the duty of every citizen of Kyrgyzstan. But teaching Kyrgyz language, strengthening the influence of the state language should not begin with the abolition of the right to pass exams in other languages, as it is happening now. In such conditions, graduates form Uzbek schools will not be able to compete with their peers from Kyrgyz and Russian schools.

Before cancelling the exams in Uzbek, the government should create the conditions for learning Kyrgyz language, provide textbooks and study guides. Only after establishing a proper system of teaching the state language, the state must step by step change the testing system. This phased change must happen at least in five-years-long period.

Jarayon: As you know, during the Soviet period and after the independence, university enrollment tests were held in Kyrgyz, Russian and Uzbek languages. However, after the massacre in Osh in 2010, enrollment exams in Uzbek language has become a political issue.

This issue was discussed even in the parliament of Kyrgyzstan. Some MPs demanded the abolition of Uzbek language tests from Kanat Sidikov, but the Minister of Education firmly stood on his ground saying that “it would be an infringement of the rights of Uzbeks.” A year later, the minister’s opinion is changing. What do you think is the reason?

Bakhtiyar Fattohov: Uzbek people have long lived together with Kyrgyz people. Our people have a lot in common with Kyrgyz. However, unfortunately, there are forces that are trying to incite enmity between the two ethnicities, and thus earn some political capital. It is the certain politicians, who made the nationalism their public image. I believe that this decision was made under the pressure of such politicians.

You probably know that cancelling the Uzbek tests was discussed for a year in Kyrgyzstan. During these discussions, the parties were divided into two camps. One side had a view that “cancellation of test in Uzbek is the violation of the rights of ethnic Uzbeks.”

And the other side stuck to the idea that “the abolition of Uzbek tests will increase the influence of Kyrgyz language, speed up the process of integration of ethnic Uzbeks into the Kyrgyz society.” We are very pleased that the first camp gathered a lot of ethnic Kyrgyz people, who really are the true patriots of Kyrgyzstan. In particular, Almazbek Atambayev, president of Kyrgyzstan, also adhere to this position.

Despite the resistance of strong political forces and leaders in Kyrgyzstan, the government made a decision to abolish the Uzbek language testing in the country, and it was a complete surprise to us. And of course we will work hard to restore the rights of Uzbek youth.

Jarayon: Thank you for the interview.