Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 6 November 2020, the Ministry of Preschool Education (MPE), as part of a press tour, showed how the issues of enrollment in preschool education in Tashkent region are being resolved and talked about the introduction of dual education in pedagogical colleges of Uzbekistan. The program included visits to four preschool educational organizations (ECE) and a teacher training college in Urtachirchik district.

Tashkent region has 789 kindergartens, including 481 public, 26 departmental, 112 private, 52 family and 18 PPP-based kindergartens. As of the 3rd quarter of 2020, the coverage of children with preschool education in the Tashkent region amounted to 49.5% (against 27.2% in 2017). By the end of this year, MPE plans to bring this figure to 57.4%. Over the past three years, the number of preschool educational institutions in the region has increased by 1.8 times.

The grand opening of the preschool educational institution took place in Kuyichirchik district. The state preschool educational institution No. 24 of Kuyichirchik district was built as a result of interagency cooperation with the support of the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.

“Preschool No. 24 was built in a remote area where there are no other preschool educational organizations. Previously, this place was a wasteland with a ravine. Due to the peculiarities of the relief and flooding of the soil, this territory was unsuitable for agriculture. After diverting the groundwater and leveling the site, the construction company built an kindergarten with a capacity of 160 places. This means that, taking into account the groups of short-term stay, another 190 children will receive quality preschool education. I would also like to note the innovation of this object - fabric awnings over the playgrounds. We have before us a simple but effective way to protect children from the sun. Perhaps the MPE will use this practical solution in other projects,” said First Deputy Minister of Preschool Education Kakhramon Olimov.

Each group has a TV and air conditioning, and preschool rooms are equipped with computers. The transformable three-tiered beds fold easily and free up space for the play area. In order to save drinking water, water from artesian wells is used for irrigating the territory. CCTV cameras are installed throughout the territory of the preschool educational institution.

Now in the preschool educational institution № 24 classes on compulsory preparation for school are conducted, and soon the full-day groups will be opened.

Mobile preschool educational institution "Aklvoy" on the basis of the Isuzu bus runs covers 3 locations in Yangiyul district and provides preschool education for 96 children aged 3–7 years.

Aklvoy buses are traditionally used in remote rural areas where there are no other preschool educational institutions. In this place, the situation is different: an abandoned building that was once a preschool educational organization is included in the investment program. It will be reconstructed at the expense of the republican budget and put into operation. But until this happens, MPE uses an alternative form of preschool education - Aklvoy buses. This is how we provide children with access to cognitive activities and developmental games, said First Deputy Minister of Preschool Education Kakhramon Olimov.

Classes in the mobile preschool educational institution are conducted according to a specially developed program for groups of different ages, and at each point of the route there is a parking lot with a canopy and a playground. In March of this year, workers of the preschool education system of Tashkent region and students of the Turin Polytechnic University held an action to green them.

Non-state preschool institutions based on PPP provide benefits to low-income families.

Erudit Kids Planet is a non-governmental preschool educational organization based on PPP in the city of Nurafshan. The capacity is 100 seats. The preschool educational institution employs 15 people of pedagogical and administrative personnel, circles of English and Russian languages, taekwondo, and choreography are organized.

Parental fees for children from low-income families in accordance with the PPP agreement are charged at state tariffs (113-159 thousand soums for visiting a full-day group in Nurafshan). Also, the founder of the preschool educational institution, on his own initiative, made a visit to Erudit Kids Planet free for several children from needy families.

The Tashkent Regional Pedagogical College of Urtachirchik District will become the first educational institution with a dual training model. In parallel with obtaining academic knowledge, students will develop practical skills in working with children. For this, a state preschool educational organization was opened at the college.

The premises of the former workshops were allocated for the preschool educational institution. The building has undergone reconstruction and is now able to accommodate 8 groups (240 pupils). The furniture is made of light, environmentally friendly materials, taking into account the age characteristics of children.

The advantage of the dual learning model lies in the close relationship between theory and practice. Students understand what they are learning and how the information obtained can be applied in their work.

MPE will introduce a dual education system in 97 pedagogical colleges throughout the country. The preschool educational institutions at colleges will obligatorily provide free one-year preparation of children for school, as well as provide other educational services.

Korzinka.uz has reconstructed the state preschool educational institution in Keles. The preschool educational institution No. 12 "Zolotaya Rybka" in Keles was reconstructed with the sponsorship of FE LLC ANGELSY FOOD (korzinka.uz). As part of the reconstruction, the former building of the district court was added to the preschool educational organization.

The preschool educational institution is located in the city center among seven-story new buildings. The capacity of 480 places will allow it to provide access to preschool education for 540 children (before reconstruction - 280 places).

A striking feature of the Zolotaya Rybka kindergarten is a mini-stadium with an artificial turf, a sports ground, basketball hoops and a football goal.

Cooperation between MPE and FE ANGELSY FOOD LLC is a public-private partnership (PPP) in the form of philanthropic activities. This type of interaction implies further sponsor's patronage of the ECE center and receiving