Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals on further reforming the education system on 28 September.
The presentation focused on updating school textbooks, introducing dual education at universities and developing a branch of Liaoning Normal University in Khiva, the presidential press service said.
As part of the modernization of school education, 1,342 titles of textbooks and teaching materials are planned to be prepared by 2027.
International experience was used in their development. Textbooks for primary school have been certified by the Finnish Education Alliance, while materials in mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology for grades 5-7 were prepared based on Singaporean textbooks.
The new system provides for coordination between the state education standard, curricula, textbooks and knowledge assessment mechanisms. The content of the materials should take students’ age into account and develop not only knowledge but also the ability to apply it in practice.
The textbooks include tasks aimed at developing critical thinking, communication, cooperation and creativity. Career guidance is another focus, with 255 lessons developed to help students better identify their interests and make informed career choices.
More than 300 topics are devoted to environmental literacy, including the rational use of water and natural resources. Financial literacy materials cover money management, saving and purchase planning, while digital literacy focuses on the safe and beneficial use of the internet.
The presentation noted that the effectiveness of the new textbooks would depend on teachers’ readiness to work with the updated content. As a result, the reforms also cover teacher training, professional development and the knowledge assessment system.
A total of 110,000 primary school teachers have already completed professional development courses. Together with Singaporean partners, 121 master trainers and 739 mentor teachers were trained, who subsequently trained 90,000 teachers.
An assessment system based on specific criteria has been introduced in 5,000 schools. It is intended to assess not only students’ ability to memorize information but also their understanding of the material and ability to apply their knowledge in practice.
A separate part of the presentation focused on training personnel for the economy. To expand dual education, 10 university rectors studied the relevant German experience three months ago. According to the data presented, 70-75% of graduates in Germany continue working at the companies where they completed their practical training after receiving their degrees.
In Uzbekistan, this format is already being used, including in Andijan Region, where 11,000 students are undertaking practical training at 2,000 enterprises. Mirziyoyev instructed all university rectors to study this experience directly in the region.
The goal is to cover at least 80% of third- and fourth-year students with dual education, or 185,000 young people. The model is to be developed first in engineering, manufacturing, construction and agriculture.
In the 2027/2028 academic year, 75 universities and 3,500 enterprises are expected to participate in dual education.
At this stage, 12,500 students will be able to combine their studies with practical training.
Relations between the university, enterprise and student are expected to be formalized through a contract.
Curricula are planned to be adapted to the needs of specific enterprises, while qualified mentors will be assigned to students.
Support measures have been proposed for enterprises that take students for practical training and subsequently provide them with employment.
These measures include subsidizing 50% of the wages paid to students, customs and depreciation benefits, as well as preferences in public procurement for enterprises that take more than 25 students for practical training.
A competition is also planned for universities and enterprises that implement dual education programs most effectively.
The assessment will consider student coverage, wage levels, academic performance and graduate employment.
The meeting also reviewed plans for establishing a branch of Liaoning Normal University in Khiva. The branch is intended to train specialists with Chinese-language skills and expand Chinese-language education in universities, technical colleges and schools.
The branch is expected to offer programs in international Chinese-language education, international business, tourism management and artificial intelligence. Instruction will be conducted in Uzbek, Chinese and English. Classes are expected to begin in the 2026/2027 academic year.
The plans also include academic exchanges for students and teachers, joint research with local universities and the improvement of technical college programs based on Chinese experience. Professional development courses in artificial intelligence are planned for computer science teachers.
Following the review, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to link the development of dual education to the actual personnel needs of enterprises in the regions.
Regarding the Liaoning Normal University branch, the president stressed the need to ensure the quality of education and carefully organize student admissions.
