President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Chairs Meeting on Social Spheres’ Priority Tasks

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev led a comprehensive meeting on February 5 to deliberate on pivotal tasks within the social spheres of Uzbekistan. The overarching goal remains the establishment of a social state, aiming to enhance living conditions for the population and elevate education, healthcare, culture, and sports.

Over the past seven years, significant strides have been made, with a notable increase in preschool enrollment from 27 percent to 74 percent. New schools have been constructed, providing an additional 700 thousand student places. Presidential schools have been established, and the number of specialized schools has grown. Higher education institutions now exceed 200, covering 42 percent of the population. The private sector has been encouraged to contribute to education and healthcare.

However, challenges persist in working with the population, implementing modern standards, and digitizing these sectors. President Mirziyoyev highlighted these concerns during the meeting and outlined tasks for the current year.

Key areas of focus include providing preschool institutions with materials reflecting national values, complete digitalization of food supply, attendance, and payments, and addressing shortcomings in working with the population. The selection and appointment of kindergarten directors, as well as advanced training for teachers, were emphasized.

To address challenges in education, a Project Office was established last week, bringing together specialists with scientific and practical expertise. The office, along with the Scientific and Methodological Center for Educational Development, will update school curricula based on international standards in key subjects. International assessments (PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS) will be gradually introduced.

The President also highlighted initiatives to introduce 50 vocational education professions at the school level, along with workshops and clubs organized in collaboration with entrepreneurs. The concept of a “Master of Vocational Education” will be introduced, providing students with practical skills and a certificate of competence upon completion.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized the importance of patriotic education to instill “immunity to crime” in students. As part of this, 2,000 school psychologists will be transferred from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the National Guard system.

In higher education, efforts will be made to align areas of professional and higher education with the modern labor market. The Republican Council for the Development of Professional Qualifications and Competencies will be linked to the Education Project Office.

In healthcare, President Mirziyoyev called for increased transparency in personnel selection for primary care positions. Specialized medical centers will be brought closer to village residents, and digitalization will be accelerated. The screening system for cardiovascular, oncological, and endocrine diseases will be revamped.

The meeting also addressed issues in culture, emphasizing the construction of cultural centers in each district and organizing regional and national sports competitions. Special attention was given to the preparation for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, ensuring comprehensive support for athletes.

President Mirziyoyev reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing the well-being of the population through strategic reforms and innovative measures. The implementation of these initiatives aims to elevate the quality of education, healthcare, and overall societal well-being in Uzbekistan. Responsible officials presented detailed reports on the discussed topics at the meeting.