Turkmenistan has approved a new nrocedure for the preparation of educational documents

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan has approved a new Procedure for the preparation of educational documents in the state and/or foreign languages. The corresponding Order No. 195 was signed by Minister of Education J. Gurbangeldiyev.

The new regulatory act was developed in accordance with the Law of Turkmenistan «On Education» and governs the processes of production, registration, storage, completion, and issuance of diplomas, certificates, their supplements, and duplicates.

Key innovations and rules

1. Language and terminology
2. Educational documents are now officially prepared in Turkmen and/or English.

The names of specializations and qualifications in English must strictly correspond to the glossary approved by the Ministry of Education.

The diploma supplement (transcript from the grade and examination record) is initially prepared in the state language but may additionally be duplicated in English upon the graduate's request.

2. Two-year period for vocational school and university graduates

In accordance with current legislation, employed graduates of secondary and higher vocational educational institutions are initially issued a certified copy of their diploma, which remains valid for the two-year mandatory work placement period.

The original diploma, its supplement, the badge, and the original of the previous educational document are issued to the graduate only upon completion of this two-year working period.

3. Digitalization and strict record-keeping

All educational document forms are classified as strict accountability documents.

Form records will now be maintained not only in paper registers but also in an electronic registration system (digital registry).

Each educational institution must establish a dedicated working commission, which is required to submit a detailed annual report on the expenditure, damage, or remaining stock of forms to the Ministry of Education at the end of the calendar year.

How will duplicates be issued?

In cases of loss, theft, fire, or damage to a document, citizens may obtain a duplicate. The Procedure clearly regulates this process:

Marking: Duplicates must bear the inscription «ÖWEZLIK» / «DUPLICATE» in the upper right corner, written in black ink without exception.

Grounds: A change of surname or first name does not constitute grounds for replacing a diploma. However, the document will be replaced if an error in the passport or birth certificate has been officially corrected.

Procedure in case of loss: In the event of loss, the citizen is required to publish a notice in a newspaper declaring the document invalid, obtain a certificate from the internal affairs authorities (or the fire service in the case of a fire), and submit an application to the educational institution (or to the ministry's archive if the institution has been dissolved). Applications are processed within 10 working days.

Financial liability: The cost of the new document form for the issuance of a duplicate is borne by the holder.

Important note: With the entry into force of the new Procedure, the previously effective Order No. 212 of the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, dated July 18, 2019, has been declared void. Responsibility for strict compliance with the new rules rests directly with the heads of educational institutions.