An investigation has been launched in Kyrgyzstan into the sale of free school textbooks at markets

Law enforcement agencies have launched an investigation following reports that school textbooks – which are intended to be distributed free of charge to pupils at general education institutions – are being sold at markets across the country.

The instruction was issued by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration.

The Ministry of the Interior, the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) and the Ministry of Education have been instructed to establish the sources and circumstances under which the textbooks came to be sold on the open market.

The departments must also verify whether the actual number of textbooks printed, transferred and distributed corresponds to the figures specified in the relevant orders and documents.

Following the findings of the investigation, measures will be taken in accordance with the law.