Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the organisation of the new Ministry of Education and Science and priority tasks at all stages of the education system.
Recently, by presidential decree, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation were reorganised into a single Ministry of Education and Science.
The main objective of the reform is to establish an integrated system of education, upbringing and science, improve the quality and effectiveness of education, and further develop human capital.
The new ministry has been tasked with ensuring continuity between all levels of education, from preschool to higher education, as well as scientific activities, and establishing sector management based on a unified approach.
Particular attention will be paid to aligning educational content with modern requirements and labour market needs, developing competition, expanding private-sector participation and increasing the accountability of the system to society.
The presentation addressed the organisation of the ministry’s work taking into account conditions in the regions, eliminating duplicated functions and increasing the responsibility of territorial departments.
It was noted that the digitalisation of management and the development of analytical capacity would enable data-driven decision-making based on reliable information.
In preschool education, the focus is proposed on the comprehensive development of children, updating educational programmes and methods, and improving the qualifications of educators. Proposals were also presented for early identification of children’s interests and abilities and the creation of modern conditions in educational institutions.
In school education, discussions focused on updating textbooks, the consistent development of students’ knowledge and practical skills, and improving the assessment system.
It was proposed to use artificial intelligence to provide methodological support to teachers, pilot teaching in English at selected schools and expand private-sector participation.
In vocational education, priority areas include early identification of young people’s interests, adapting technical college programmes to labour market requirements and strengthening their material and technical facilities.
The meeting also considered expanding dual education in cooperation with enterprises, introducing international programmes and modern teaching materials.
In higher education, it was proposed to expand the autonomy of universities, improve management quality and strengthen the accountability of university heads for their performance.
The development of cooperation with leading foreign universities, closer links between education and industry, and stronger practical training for students were also discussed.
In science, attention was focused on developing scientific clusters and strengthening cooperation between universities, laboratories and enterprises. Proposals were presented to put scientific developments into practice and create new products and enterprises based on them.
During the presentation, the President stressed the need to build all parts of the education system, from kindergarten to university, as a single vertical system. According to him, ensuring continuity between school and university is of particular importance.
The head of state also noted the need to further improve the quality of education at every stage, raise children in the spirit of national and universal human values, and incorporate these values into the educational and scientific processes.
Particular attention was also paid to putting the results of scientific research into practice. The President stressed that rectors should have a clear vision and development plan for their universities for the short and medium term.
Responsible officials were instructed to thoroughly refine the proposals presented.
