DUSHANBE, May 23, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- School bell will ring for the last time for school leavers in Tajikistan on May 25.

Speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Ms. Bibihavo Sharofova, the chairperson of the director for preschool and secondary education within the Ministry of Education (MoE), all events dedicated to the last school bell will be held in an hour and then lessons will start.  “As usual, representatives from the ministry and the city education directorate will come to congratulate leavers and junior grade students will perform concerts,” Sharofova said.

According to the preliminary data, 84, 309 students will finish secondary schools in Tajikistan this year.

We will recall that President Emomali Rahmon banned high school graduation parties in the country in a string of presidential edicts on Tajik cultural and social life passed in 2007.  The president said he was concerned about the pompous and excessive luxury of school festivities.  Earlier, he ordered a ban on the use of cell phones and private cars at high schools.