In the new school year in Turkmenistan, teachers were instructed to introduce elements of state propaganda into the educational process, aimed at maintaining the allegedly peaceful life in the country. This requirement was discussed at a practical training session held on August 8 in Turkmenabat, where curators of the general education department presented new methodological guidelines. This was reported by Radio Azatlyk.
It is reported that at this meeting, the teachers who took part were surprised and even concerned about the new tasks. One of the teachers present at the event, on condition of anonymity, said that, starting from the first day of the new school year, every teacher, regardless of the subject taught, will be required to promote the president’s policies. In particular, this concerns his role in maintaining the neutral status of Turkmenistan and strengthening peace in the country. As is customary in such cases, the beginning of the event was captured on video and photos for later broadcast on state television and coverage in local media.
Another teacher, who also wished to remain anonymous, noted that officials from the education department were filmed in various poses in front of the camera, pretending to discuss important issues with teachers. However, after the filming ended, the curators of the directorate moved on to discussing the orders of the Ministry of Education, one of which concerned the introduction of mandatory propaganda in the educational process.
Particularly perplexing was the discussion at the meeting of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Teachers noted that such political issues had not previously been discussed at official events devoted to educational issues, and this also caused bewilderment. One of the teachers quoted the official’s speech at the meeting:
“Look, the world around us is full of conflicts. War is everywhere, and Ukraine has long provoked Russia until it responded. Be grateful for our neutrality, which ensures a peaceful sky above us.”
The teachers emphasized that the inclusion of such topics in the school curriculum is not a common practice for Turkmenistan and raised serious doubts among them.
In addition, the need to develop patriotic feelings in students through propaganda of the neutrality and peace-loving policy of the president was discussed during the meeting. Some teachers expressed concern that such methods could have a negative impact on the educational process and disrupt the usual way of working in schools. In particular, they wondered whether it is really possible to instill love for the homeland and the president through intimidation of war, and to what extent this is correct from a pedagogical point of view.
Despite the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Turkmenistan has not yet expressed its official position on this issue. Moreover, the Turkmen media does not cover events related to the war, and does not even mention that it is ongoing. In these circumstances, the introduction of propaganda elements into the school curriculum seems even more controversial.
One of the representatives of the Lebap velayat education department, who also wished to remain anonymous, shared his opinion, noting that the interference of state propaganda in the educational process can be harmful to children’s education. He expressed concern that from September, teachers will be required to include elements of a patriotic orientation in their teaching materials, which, in his opinion, violates educational principles and can negatively affect schoolchildren.
In the context of the ongoing personality cult of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and his father Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the state systematically introduces various forms of glorification of their policies. The propaganda promoted through the Turkmen media for many years includes not only the glorification of the country’s leaders, but also the coercion to study and buy books written by the Berdimuhamedovs. Public meetings and lectures are regularly held in schools, enterprises and other institutions, where the importance of their policies and achievements are emphasized. Thus, the new curriculum, which requires the mandatory inclusion of state propaganda, raises serious questions among educators and may have a significant impact on the educational process in Turkmenistan.
