OSCE promotes girls' access to higher education in Tajikistan
Girls from rural and mountainous areas of Tajikistan benefit from a government quota system that facilitates their access to universities. (Simone Troller/OSCE) Photo details
DUSHANBE, 29 May 2002 - The OSCE Mission to Tajikistan and its Garm field office have launched a project to promote girls' access to higher education in the Garm and Jirghital districts of the Karategin valley. The Karategin region has one of the lowest percentages of girls entering higher education institutions in the country and a high dropout rate among girls in secondary education.
The Garm field office conducted round tables in the two areas on 13 and 14 May. Representatives from the Ministries of Education and Economics met local authorities, teachers and civic groups in order to discuss problems related to quotas for higher education institutions. Girls from rural and mountainous areas benefit from a Government quota system that facilitates their access to universities. However, quota places in the two regions have not been fully distributed due to a non-transparent distribution process, lack of information and lack of co-operation between central and local authorities. The round tables agreed to establish an independent task force which will monitor the distribution process this summer.
Between 18 May and 22 May, four representatives from Dushanbe universities and four girls studying in the capital were invited to meet parents and girl pupils from the regions. It became evident that parents and teachers of the region suffer from a lack of information concerning the procedure for obtaining quota places and the places available. In addition, the living, studying and security conditions for girls living in dormitories were discussed with the parents. Representatives from the universities explained additional support available from their institutions for girls who enter through the quota system, such as free meals, extra tuition and the payment of transport fees back home. In addition, the eight representatives met all girls from grade 9 to 11 - approximately 1,800 pupils - in the two districts to encourage them to pursue their education. Many girls stop education after grade 9. The OSCE Mission, together with the Ministry of Education published and distributed a leaflet containing necessary information about the quota system.
The quota distribution process will start from June this year and will be concluded by the beginning of September. Together with the task force, the OSCE Mission will conduct final round tables to sum up the distribution process and to define recommendations for the following year.
The Garm field office conducted round tables in the two areas on 13 and 14 May. Representatives from the Ministries of Education and Economics met local authorities, teachers and civic groups in order to discuss problems related to quotas for higher education institutions. Girls from rural and mountainous areas benefit from a Government quota system that facilitates their access to universities. However, quota places in the two regions have not been fully distributed due to a non-transparent distribution process, lack of information and lack of co-operation between central and local authorities. The round tables agreed to establish an independent task force which will monitor the distribution process this summer.
Between 18 May and 22 May, four representatives from Dushanbe universities and four girls studying in the capital were invited to meet parents and girl pupils from the regions. It became evident that parents and teachers of the region suffer from a lack of information concerning the procedure for obtaining quota places and the places available. In addition, the living, studying and security conditions for girls living in dormitories were discussed with the parents. Representatives from the universities explained additional support available from their institutions for girls who enter through the quota system, such as free meals, extra tuition and the payment of transport fees back home. In addition, the eight representatives met all girls from grade 9 to 11 - approximately 1,800 pupils - in the two districts to encourage them to pursue their education. Many girls stop education after grade 9. The OSCE Mission, together with the Ministry of Education published and distributed a leaflet containing necessary information about the quota system.
The quota distribution process will start from June this year and will be concluded by the beginning of September. Together with the task force, the OSCE Mission will conduct final round tables to sum up the distribution process and to define recommendations for the following year.