President Mirziyoyev Approves Sweeping Social Welfare Reforms to Expand Inclusive Education and Digital Services

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reviewed and approved a comprehensive package of proposals aimed at expanding access to inclusive education, strengthening social protection for vulnerable groups, improving support for victims of human trafficking, and digitalizing preferential transportation services across Uzbekistan.

During a presentation on the proposed reforms, the President was informed that the country has significantly expanded its social protection system in recent years. Over the past three years, the number of social services has increased from 23 to 140, with approximately 4.6 million services now provided annually, including around 2 million delivered at the mahalla level.

Particular emphasis was placed on improving educational opportunities for children with special educational needs. Of the more than 168,000 children with disabilities in Uzbekistan, over 133,000 currently receive educational and social services, while efforts are underway to integrate the remaining children into the education system.

Under the new reforms, an individualized support system will be introduced for every family, with social workers assessing each child’s needs at an early stage to determine appropriate educational pathways and support services. The new assessment mechanism will be piloted in the Khorezm and Navoi regions beginning October 1, 2026.

Starting from the 2026–2027 academic year, special schools will adopt individualized education plans tailored to each child’s abilities and learning needs. Additional support measures, including personal assistants for visually impaired teachers and classroom aides in junior grades, will also be introduced.

The government will further encourage inclusive education by providing per-student subsidies to non-governmental schools offering correctional classes for children with disabilities and awarding annual grants to at least 50 schools to improve inclusive learning environments. Beginning in 2027, children with disabilities will receive assistive technologies, including Braille displays, speech synthesizers, and text-reading devices through a voucher system, while additional accommodations during entrance and certification examinations will be introduced from the 2027–2028 academic year.

President Mirziyoyev also endorsed reforms to strengthen assistance for homeless individuals. Existing rehabilitation centers will be transformed into temporary accommodation and social reintegration centers, where beneficiaries will receive individualized support, including document restoration, healthcare, vocational training, and employment assistance. The reforms also envisage expanding temporary shelter, meals, clothing assistance, and employment opportunities through closer cooperation with non-governmental organizations.

The meeting also reviewed measures to improve the identification, protection, and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking. Beginning September 1, 2026, the “Inson” social service centers at the mahalla and district levels will introduce a new assessment system to identify victims and connect them with appropriate rehabilitation services.

In addition, the Republican Center for the Rehabilitation and Adaptation of Women and its regional branches will be reorganized into specialized centers for the rehabilitation of women and children, with expanded capacity to support victims of human trafficking and their minor children. The proposals also include introducing separate criminal liability for child trafficking, restricting convicted traffickers from employment in labor and migration sectors, and strengthening oversight of rehabilitation services.

The President also approved the digitalization of preferential transportation services for eligible citizens, including persons with disabilities, World War II veterans, individuals granted equivalent status, and participants in the Chernobyl nuclear disaster cleanup.

Under the new system, citizens in 11 beneficiary categories will receive free or discounted travel on air, rail, and intercity transport without the need for paper coupons. Eligibility will be verified electronically through the Unified National Social Protection Information System using national identity cards or biometric passports. From January 1, 2027, subsidized transport tickets will also be available online through the Baraka social card mobile application.

President Mirziyoyev instructed relevant authorities to finalize the necessary legal framework, ensure the effective implementation of the reforms at the local level, and maintain strict oversight to guarantee the successful execution of the planned social initiatives.