Learning in Turkmenistan

The formal learning system in Turkmenistan begins with preschool preparation and continues through primary and secondary education. Children normally enter primary school at age six. Grades 1 to 4 form primary education, grades 5 to 10 basic secondary education and grades 11 to 12 complete secondary education. These three general-education stages are compulsory, and state schools are free. Specialized schools, school-gymnasiums, lyceums, boarding schools and special schools provide additional formats. Vocational learning mainly takes place through hünär-tehniki bilim, or professional-technical education. It can include primary vocational education, short vocational training, secondary vocational education, practical training and enterprise-based instruction. Turkmenistan does not have a separately defined apprenticeship system equivalent to a German-style dual apprenticeship. Apprenticeship-like programmes may lead to a certificate or diploma, but no national apprenticeship wage or standard apprenticeship contract scheme has been verified. Higher education is offered by universities, academies, conservatories and institutes. Bachelor programmes usually last four years, Master programmes one to two years and Specialist programmes five to six years. State-funded and fee-paying places exist. Admission, study language and costs depend on the institution, programme and admission plan. Turkmen is the state language and the main language of instruction. Foreign languages are required in general and vocational education; English is prominent, while Russian is widely used in institutional and early learning settings. Additional courses, examinations and digital resources exist through public institutions and selected providers, but fees, access and regional coverage vary. Upskilling develops, updates or broadens skills alongside or after education and work. Advanced training, called повышение квалификации, updates existing skills, while retraining, called переподготовка кадров, prepares someone for a new occupation or qualification. State or licensed non-state institutions, employers and other approved organizations may provide these courses. A final assessment can lead to a training or retraining document, but completion does not automatically create a new tertiary qualification.