Comparing preschool education systems: Kyrgyzstan and Singapore in focus

Introduction: In Kyrgyzstan, preschool education has been offered in state and private schools since 2012, following the Montessori system with a curriculum of 240 or 100 hours. In Singapore, preschool education is structured as a three-year program (Nursery, Kindergarten 1–2), managed by the Early Childhood Development and SPARK programs, and offered as a private and international system. Objective: This study compares the preschool education systems in Kyrgyzstan and Singapore using a comparative education approach, examining them from social, cultural, and political perspectives. Methodology: A comparative and descriptive research design was adopted. Similarities and differences between the two countries were examined according to the following criteria: geographic areas, population, official languages, history of independence, literacy rates, educational budgets, and the number of educators and preschool education institutions. Results: The research findings show that Singapore has fewer teachers and institutions than Kyrgyzstan. However, Singapore’s preschool education system is more developed, has a higher budget, and boasts an enrollment rate of over 90% compared to Kyrgyzstan. In contrast, Kyrgyzstan suffers from problems such as a lack of subsidies and reliance on state schools, while Singapore prioritizes private systems. Conclusions: It is recommended that Kyrgyzstan, which lags behind Singapore in particular, should increase education budgets for preschool education, improve teacher salaries, and support low-income families.