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Building Skills for the Future
GENERATING NEW INSIGHTS ON SKILLS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC This report summarizes the findings from the 2019 skills survey for the adult Kyrgyz population. The survey measured skills using the same questions and approach as the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) surveys administered by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This survey complements previous findings on skills for the adult Kyrgyz population in several important ways. The 2019 survey: • I ncludes measures of literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving in technology rich environments (PSTRE). We can therefore assess whether these skills vary across key population characteristics. • Used the PIAAC questions and methodology. This methodology was designed to assign respondents to different well-defined and internationally comparable proficiency levels. We can therefore assess not only whether Kyrgyz adult skill levels are more basic or more advanced, but we can also make international comparisons with countries that implemented PIAAC surveys. • Enables us to make a detailed assessment of the use of these skills in the workplace and how they relate to the skills required. • Includes a separate sample of secondary school teachers. We can therefore assess whether teachers have the necessary skill levels to equip the next generation.
Main findings on skills in the adult population We find that skill levels are consistently low in absolute terms both among varying sociodemographic groups and relative to countries that implemented PIAAC surveys. Results are not improving across cohorts. Although level 2 is considered the minimal proficiency level for literacy and numeracy, a significant share of adults in the Kyrgyz Republic performed at or below level 1 in literacy and numeracy. Fifty-nine percent and 60 percent of adults scored at or below level one in literacy and numeracy, 53
