Number of Schools in Uzbekistan Rises to 11,118, Students to 6.87 Million

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — By the start of the 2025/2026 academic year, Uzbekistan had 11,118 active general education schools, an increase of 175 institutions, or 1.6%, compared to the previous year, according to the National Statistics Committee.

The private sector showed significant growth, with the number of private schools rising by 96, or 21.1%, reaching 551. The highest concentration is in Tashkent — 145 schools, Ferghana region — 121, and Samarkand region — 43. The lowest numbers were recorded in Surkhandarya and Navoi regions — 5 each, and in the Republic of Karakalpakstan — 10.

By total number of schools, Samarkand region leads with 1,350, followed by Kashkadarya — 1,294, and Ferghana — 1,119. The fewest schools are in Syrdarya — 345, Navoi — 387, and Tashkent — 503.

The total number of students in general education schools reached 6.87 million, increasing by 94,200, or 1.4% over the year. Boys make up 51.2% of students, girls — 48.8%. The largest student populations are in Samarkand — 814,200, Ferghana — 733,400, and Kashkadarya — 688,100. The smallest are in Syrdarya — 165,100, Navoi — 195,700, and Jizzakh — 284,600. Across regions, boys slightly outnumber girls, with the largest gap in Tashkent — 52.6% to 47.4%.

In the first grade, 725,300 children were enrolled in 2025/2026, up 46,400, or 6.8%, from the previous year. Boys constitute 52%, girls 48%. The largest first-grade intakes are in Samarkand — 87,600, Ferghana — 78,300, and Kashkadarya — 72,700; the smallest in Syrdarya — 17,000, Navoi — 21,000, and Jizzakh — 31,300.

In 2025, 506,100 ninth-grade students graduated, down 14,000, or 2.7%, while 11th-grade graduates increased by 46,600, or 11.5%, to 452,500. The higher number of ninth-grade graduates is explained by many continuing education in academic lyceums, polytechnics, and technical colleges.

The number of full-time teachers reached 577,700, up 12,800, or 2.3%. Women make up 72.5% of the teaching staff — 418,800, an increase of 17,500 (4.4%). Male teachers decreased by 4,700 (2.9%) to 158,900.

Most teachers are in Samarkand and Kashkadarya — 65,100 each, and Ferghana — 60,600; the fewest in Syrdarya — 14,200, Navoi — 22,300, and Jizzakh — 25,700.

Tashkent has the highest proportion of female teachers — 85.9%, while Jizzakh has the lowest — 58.8%. In other regions, this ratio ranges from 61% to 78.9%.