Adult Education Festival – 2025

On April 17, the Adult Education Festival took place in Jalal-Abad — an annual event aimed at promoting and advancing non-formal and lifelong learning in Kyrgyzstan.

The festival brings together an education fair, master classes, cultural programs, science demonstrations, and dialogue platforms, making learning accessible, diverse, and engaging for people of all ages.

Held as a regional relay event, the festival annually draws attention to the importance of lifelong learning. It is organized by the Kyrgyz Adult Education Association (KAEA), a member of the Association for the Development of Education in Kyrgyzstan (AROK).

During the festival’s opening ceremony, the Executive Director of AED and the Executive Director of KAEA were awarded Certificates of Honor by the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz Republic in recognition of their significant contribution to the development of education and the promotion of lifelong learning in the country.

As part of the festival, a roundtable discussion was held on April 18 under the theme “Accessible Adult Education: Pathways for Regional Development in Kyrgyzstan.” The Program Assistant of AROK delivered a presentation titled “Non-Formal Education for Persons with Disabilities in Kyrgyzstan: Needs, Barriers, and Opportunities,” based on the findings of a study conducted by AROK in 2024.

AROK served as a partner organization of the roundtable, supporting the dialogue on accessibility and inclusion in education.

Participants exchanged experiences and discussed practices, challenges, and opportunities for expanding access to learning for all population groups, including persons with disabilities.

Such initiatives contribute to advancing inclusive approaches in education and raising awareness of every individual’s right to learn and develop throughout life.