President Approves Comprehensive Education Reform in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 8 September, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on the reform of Uzbekistan’s education system.

The country continues to develop all levels of education: modern schools are being built, curricula updated, and advanced teaching methods implemented. Special attention is given to specialized education, talent support, and career guidance for students.

Spiritual and moral education is recognized as an important part of learning; however, approaches vary across institutions, and there is currently no unified system for organizing students’ leisure or fostering their abilities. To address this, a unified concept of the national idea has been developed, covering all levels of education from preschool to higher education. A vertical system for organizing school leisure will be established. “Kelajak” centers will be created at the “Barkamol Avlod” children’s school, the Republican Youth Center, and the “Yoshlar” society. Schools will also introduce the position of Advisor for Student Initiative Support.

Over the past eight years, kindergarten capacity has increased by 2.5 million places, with preschool coverage reaching 78%. Plans include adding 20,000 new places annually. The construction of new apartment buildings will take kindergarten needs into account, dual education programs and professional development systems for vocational specialists will be introduced, and the private sector will be actively involved in underserved areas through public-private partnerships. From 2026–2028, a network of “Yangi Avlod” preschools with innovative child development centers will be established.

To develop technical and engineering education, engineering schools will be created in 14 regions with free, competitive five-year STEM programs based on the experience of the “New Uzbekistan” University and the Mirzo Ulugbek School. From 2026, a national “Best Engineering School” competition for the President’s prize will be held. Specialized schools for natural sciences will be developed, with the Abu Ali ibn Sina School in Tashkent serving as a central hub. Tashkent will also host a branch of Bauman Moscow State Technical University, TashTech University, and the Almalyk State Technical Institute.

To support future educators, the State Scholarship named after Abdulla Avloni will be established for third- and fourth-year students of pedagogical universities, encouraging both academic excellence and research.

In postgraduate education, training mechanisms for degree-holding specialists will be enhanced, and doctoral quotas will align with the country’s priority development areas. The Academy of Sciences will strengthen its role in advancing promising scientific fields, conducting fundamental, applied, and innovative research, and ensuring practical implementation of results.

The President approved the proposals, signed the relevant documents, and instructed systematic and high-quality implementation of all planned measures.