Private schools have warned of the risk of closure due to government interference in pricing

Representatives of private schools in Kyrgyzstan have spoken out against potential regulation of tuition fees by the Antimonopoly Service. According to them, government intervention in pricing could lead to both the closure of educational institutions and a decline in the quality of education. Nazira Moldobaeva, head of the Association of Private Schools, made this statement during parliamentary hearings on the topic of “Pricing.”

According to her, the sector is concerned about reports that the Antimonopoly Service may begin to control tuition prices at private schools.

“If private schools start closing, children will transfer to public schools, where there are already more than 50 students in each class and a shortage of teachers,” Moldobaeva noted.

She emphasized that currently about 110,000 children attend private schools. According to the association’s estimates, this allows the state to save more than 3 million KGS in budget expenditures each month.

In addition, she said, private schools not only independently fund the educational process but also pay taxes, create jobs, and bear the full financial burden without any tax breaks.

“We pay for utilities just like construction companies or restaurants. We have no tax breaks,” the association’s head stated.

The association also noted that private schools charge tuition for only nine months of instruction, while their expenses run year-round. The institutions pay rent, mortgages, utilities, and vacation pay for employees, including teachers, who are granted 56 days of paid vacation.