Education at Families’ Expense: Forced Collections Continue in Turkmenistan’s Schools and Universities

Education at Families’ Expense: Forced Collections Continue in Turkmenistan’s Schools and Universities The new academic year in Turkmenistan has once again begun not only with classes, but also with expenses that the state education system is effectively shifting onto families. Reports from Radio Azatlyk concerning schools and universities reveal the same pattern: deteriorating infrastructure, recurring monetary collections, compulsory purchases, and a lack of transparent accounting. At one school in the Babadaihan district of Ahal region, parents report broken desks and chairs that are damaging children’s clothing. According to them, classroom furniture, blackboards, and even wooden floors are in poor condition. Yet instead of carrying out proper repairs, parents are reportedly being told to purchase new furniture at their own expense. According to local residents, preparing one child for school costs at least 1,000 manats — roughly half of an average monthly salary. The burden is especially severe for families with two or three school-age children. Many are forced to buy clothing and school supplies on credit. When school uniforms are damaged by broken furniture, parents often simply cannot afford to replace them. The expenses do not end there. Parents say that money is regularly collected from pupils, allegedly for repairs and other school needs. At the same time, families say they see no visible improvements and receive no financial reports explaining how the money is spent. In some regions, there are also reports of smaller but constant collections for diary covers, class journals, chalk, markers, tissues, and other supplies. According to Azatlyk, the same practice also extends to higher education institutions. In Ashgabat, first-year students at several universities were reportedly required to pay 1,500 manats each. Students were told that the money would be used to purchase sports uniforms, the state flag, and other educational supplies. Some students who already had suitable sportswear were reportedly not allowed to use it and were instead required to purchase the specific uniform approved by the university. One lecturer who spoke to Azatlyk anonymously claimed that the actual cost of such a set may be no more than 200 manats, while students are being charged far more. 1,500 manats is an amount comparable to one of the lowest monthly salaries in the country. For families already paying for clothing, footwear, stationery, transport, and other necessities, such demands turn education into a serious financial burden. Students themselves warn that if these collections are repeated every few months, some may struggle to continue their studies at all. This is no longer a question of a few desks, sports uniforms, or school supplies. It points to a systemic problem: public education is being financed not only from the state budget, but effectively from the pockets of parents, schoolchildren, and students — often without voluntary consent, transparent estimates, or clear financial accountability. Against the backdrop of economic hardship, this practice is particularly alarming. A child’s or young person’s right to education must not depend on whether their family can continuously pay for what the state education system is supposed to provide. The Ministry of Education and local authorities must publicly explain on what legal basis such collections are being carried out, who determines the amounts, where the money goes, and why the costs of maintaining public educational institutions are once again being shifted onto citizens. When parents are forced to borrow money for school uniforms, children sit on broken furniture, and students are required to pay an amount equivalent to a monthly salary, this can no longer be described as “helping a school or university.” It is evidence of a deep crisis in the education system and in the state’s social responsibility.