Dushanbe, July 26, 2026 – The Europe Today: More than 240,000 children are expected to begin first grade in Tajikistan during the upcoming academic year, according to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The ministry said the country currently has 4,056 general education institutions serving approximately 2,462,700 students nationwide.
Enrollment for first-grade students will officially begin on August 1. This year, children born on or before December 31, 2019, will be eligible to enter first grade. Those born on January 1, 2020, or later will be eligible for enrollment in the following academic year.
Education authorities stated that schools across the country are continuing preparations for the new academic year to ensure they are ready to welcome students under appropriate conditions.
In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Science’s standard regulations, parents enrolling children in first grade must submit several required documents, including the child’s personal record, two passport-sized photographs, an application for admission, the child’s birth certificate, a medical certificate, copies of the parents’ identification documents, a marriage certificate and a certificate of residence.
The ministry also highlighted recommendations from psychologists, who have urged parents and teachers to pay close attention to preparing children for their transition into school and to encourage them throughout the process.
Experts noted that one of the greatest challenges for children entering school for the first time is adapting to a new social environment. While previously interacting mainly with family members, children must now learn to communicate with classmates and teachers, develop social skills and adapt to structured classroom routines.
Psychologists emphasized that teachers play a key role in helping first-grade students adjust by teaching not only literacy and numeracy but also appropriate social behavior, responsibility, cooperation, mutual respect and tolerance.
They also stressed that strong cooperation between families and schools is essential for a child’s successful adaptation to school life. Establishing daily routines and helping children adjust from a play-based home environment to structured learning activities are considered important aspects of the transition.
Parents were encouraged to spend quality time with their children, foster interest in learning, regularly discuss classroom experiences and provide positive support rather than criticism when mistakes occur. Experts also recommended that parents share their own school experiences to inspire confidence and enthusiasm for education among young learners.
The Ministry of Education and Science reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a smooth start to the new academic year while supporting children’s successful integration into the country’s education system.
