Turkmen President Continues Education Reforms

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has scrapped a rule that required high-school graduates to work for two years before they enter university, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reported.

The presidential office says Berdymukhammedov's directive also reinstated university entrance exams, which had been ditched in favor of interviewing prospective students.

The presidential order also calls for broader education for high-school students.

The move is part of a series of education reforms reversing policies set by Berdymukhammedov's predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, who died in December.

Following his inauguration last month, Berdymukhammedov reinstated 10 years of mandatory education, instead of nine.

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