State Labor Inspectorate Reminds Karakalpakstan Schools Not to Assign Teachers to Non-Educational Work

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Reports have emerged on social media from teachers in Karakalpakstan claiming that they were being compelled to register students’ parents on the national population census website.

In response, the State Labor Inspectorate of Uzbekistan issued an official clarification, emphasizing that any tasks outside the professional responsibilities of teachers are illegal and may result in strict accountability for school administrators.

The issue arose following reports regarding School No. 55 in the Beruniy District, where, according to social media users, class teachers were allegedly forced to register students’ families on the portal census.stat.uz. Teachers expressed frustration that such responsibilities were being shifted onto them instead of census staff, preventing them from performing their educational duties.

“If we, the teachers, now have to handle population accounting, what are the census employees doing? This work is being shifted to us as well. When will teachers be allowed to do their own jobs?” the educators wrote in their appeal.

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education of Karakalpakstan denied that the registration was compulsory, stressing that participation is voluntary. Nevertheless, the Labor Inspectorate found it necessary to issue a strict warning, reminding that assigning teachers to any work unrelated to their primary profession—whether census duties, landscaping, or agricultural tasks—is strictly prohibited.

School directors and other officials who violate these rules may face administrative liability, including dismissal.

Citizens are encouraged to report cases of forced labor promptly via the specialized Telegram bot munosibmehnat.uz.