Uzbek Schools to Receive 1,350 Computer Labs by October

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan's schools are scheduled to receive 1,350 computer lab equipment sets along with electronic whiteboards by the end of October 2026, according to Minister of Preschool and School Education E'zozkhan Karimova during a session of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis on 25 August.

The update was delivered during parliamentary discussions reviewing the execution of the "Uzbekistan — 2030" strategy state program for the first half of 2026. Deputy Zuhriddin Mavlonov noted that initial targets aimed to establish 1,000 new computer labs and install 6,300 electronic whiteboards by the end of the year, backed by a state budget allocation of 350 billion soums—250 billion soums designated for computer hardware and 100 billion soums for electronic whiteboards.

Mavlonov raised concerns regarding execution progress, pointing out that earlier implementation reports referenced ongoing tender procedures without verifying installed units ahead of the upcoming academic year.

Karimova clarified that following preliminary technical assessments, the ministry adjusted procurement parameters to increase equipment output within the existing 250 billion soum budget, raising the total delivery from 1,000 to 1,350 computer lab sets.

Addressing the procurement of electronic whiteboards funded by the remaining 100 billion soums, Karimova noted that an initial tender launched on 12 July concluded without selecting a winning bidder, prompting a re-tender issued on 10 August. Final vendor selection was scheduled for 26 August, with equipment delivery targeted for completion before the end of October.

The infrastructure push responds to technical shortages across the public school network. As of 1 May 2026, Wi-Fi coverage was entirely absent in 69 percent of schools nationwide, while approximately 5,000 existing computer labs were classified as obsolete and nearly 2,000 schools lacked computer labs altogether. To address these gaps, presidential directives mandate upgrading 16,000 computer labs, expanding free Wi-Fi zones, and improving broadband speeds across schools by 2030.