World Bank Approves US$105 Million for Uzbekistan Education

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$105 million financial support package for Uzbekistan to implement the "Transforming Public Education for Economic Growth" (BILIM) program. The funds will be directed toward improving the quality of teaching in primary schools and developing foundational skills among students across six regions of the country.

The financing includes a US$100 million concessional credit from the International Development Association (IDA), a member of the World Bank Group, and a US$5 million grant from the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd). This marks the first collaborative project between the World Bank and IFFEd.

The total budget of the program stands at US$378 million. In addition to the international financing, the government of Uzbekistan will allocate US$273 million for its implementation. The program will be executed by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The program will be implemented in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, as well as in Khorezm, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Bukhara, and Navoiy regions. These regions account for approximately 45 percent of all schools in the country and face significant challenges regarding education quality and school infrastructure deficits.

According to World Bank data, the number of school students in Uzbekistan is expected to exceed 7.6 million in 2026. To meet the growing demand for education, the country needs to construct about 300 new schools annually. Although primary school enrollment rates exceed 99 percent, learning outcomes in subjects such as reading and mathematics remain below international standards. Furthermore, teaching methodologies and the teacher professional development system require major improvements.

Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Central Asia, noted that strengthening foundational skills, including reading, mathematics, and socio-emotional competencies in primary school, is central to building the country's human capital base and advancing long-term socio-economic development.

According to him, the BILIM program will help establish the conditions necessary to prepare school students for the demands of the modern job market and an economy driven by innovation.

By 2030, the program plans to provide professional development for approximately 50,000 primary school teachers, school leaders, and education administrators. In addition, it provides for the construction of new schools and the expansion of existing facilities, which will create 27,000 additional primary school seats.

Another area of focus for the program will be improving the collection and utilization of education data, which will enable more effective school development planning and resource allocation.

The implementation of the program is expected to benefit approximately 2 million children enrolled in grades 1 to 4, around half of whom are girls. This is anticipated to improve the quality of primary education and enhance future employment opportunities for graduates in the long term.