The Education Reforms of Shavkat Mirziyoyev
Shavkat Mirziyoyev who assumed the presidency of Uzbekistan in December 2016 has initiated a process of change throughout the entire profound Reconstruction in all fields. Among these, education sector occupies a very strategic position as one of the major key factors for the development of Uzbekistan.
It has been called as the ‘Age of modernizing Uzbekistan’ as the avenues here focus on enhancing the standard of life, human capital development, and the education system harmonizing with the global standard.
Education as a Pillar of National Development
President Mirziyoyev also stressed multiple times that education should be the main focus in the context of the processes of the nation-building. Science is one of the key values of the president as well as education and upbringing that he considers the primary focus of development as it “Education is at the heart of all our efforts. The developed countries have today’s economic standard through knowledge. It is for this reason, that we are working to improve education first of all.” This vision was realized when the government announced 2023 as the Year of Human Care and Quality Education telling the world that the government is now ready to reform education system. The fourth priority of Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy concern education and human capital development. The focus of the country’s reform initiatives is rather diverse, including such levels of education as pre-school, school, college and university, thus providing enough foundation for the future generations.
Investments in Infrastructure and Technology
Uzbekistan has made good efforts to develop physical facilities of educational institutions. Over the last few years only, hundreds of new schools have been put up, to cater for half a million learner enrolments. More than 7000 new computer classrooms have been equipped and 270 schools have acquired new interactive whiteboards. These advancement leads towards the technologically intelligent learning, providing consciousness towards the changing world scenario. To advance this goal, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on the general curricula: In recent years, elementary grade textbooks have been developed in relation to critical thinking creativity. These resources include such standards as PISA and TIMMS, and due to their use, students of Uzbekistan will be ready for competitions and challenges in the world.
Enhancing the Status of Teachers
The role of a teacher in the formation of the future generation has been underlined numerous times by the President Mirziyoyev. He said, “Pardon me, gentlemen, architects and engineers of the children’s hearts are teachers.” Teacher disrespect means disrespect to our people and society.” To raise the prestige and professionalism of educators a totally new certification system based on the application of the modern technologies was launched with the participation of more than 190 000 teachers. Among these, 51,000 learners received a promotion to the next qualification level. Proposals to increase the top-sliced remuneration for experienced effective teachers by September 2025 are also part of Government’s policy to promote and reward excellent performance. Different opportunities for teachers’ professional development are being developed. Vocational training schools and teachers training Colleges are also being developed and further aces are being made to source training from international experts. Also, kindergartens and schools are being incorporated into pedagogical colleges to form complexes for preschool children’s education.
Fostering Innovation and Excellence
Concentrated schools are characteristic features of the education development in Uzbekistan today. Presidential schools have been increased to 14, creative schools 9 and there are 182 specialized schools, to particularly address the talent and ambition of the students. One of them is an experiment – engineering programs in the Mirzo Ulugbek Specialized School with the support of the Technical University of Munich. This program will give students the opportunity to transfer to the New Uzbekistan University, and thus provide employers with technically qualified graduates. Education for gifted youths has attractively manifested its potential and effectiveness. For the current academic year, Uzbek students are bringing home 113 medals at international subject Olympiads, nearly double compared to last year. To maintain this tempo, a Centre for coaching students for subject Olympiads is being developed, also providing one-ones and mentor services.
Integration of Culture and Education
Acknowledging the significance of cultural assets within curriculum changes, improvements to the development of artistic passion and creativity are being made for students. New curricula include subjects and calls such as, “Art,” which can embrace such disciplines as painting or cinematography, sculpture, and design. Many of the Jadid predecessors came from Uzbekistan and their history of education reform is being used to raise the level of patriotism among students.
Digital Transformation in Education
Uzbekistan is leveraging digital technology to enhance accessibility and transparency in education. there is the E-study e-learning platform competent in offering learning resources to the students and teachers. Measures of improving the attendance and reporting systems in kindergartens prove governmental concern with organization and new technologies.
The adoption of a “Child Development Map” within the Information System for Preschool Education Management guarantees a rigorous check on the progress of a child’s intellectual and cognitive development in order to plan for a change of course if need be.
Collaboration and Global Perspectives
Uzbekistan’s education reforms also underline foreign cooperation. Such training facilities invite trainers from other countries, and collaboration with such stakeholders as the Technical University of Munich shows the government is keen on emulating best practices from around the world. International professionals are being engaged in the preparation of students to compete in international challenges and contests, talent is being cultivated.
Looking at the future with an Integrated Perspective
The Concept for the Development of the Public Education System until 2030 is the strategy of Uzbekistan’s educational transformation. In this perspective it is investing in training teachers, overhauling textbooks and incorporating contemporary methodology in order to establish an educational system that will incorporate a global relevance with national distinctive features.
President Mirziyoyev said that, “The education system we build today will speak about ourselves after forty years”. Thus, this long term view explains the importance of these reforms in the envisioning and construction of a prosperous progressive Uzbekistan.
Conclusion
Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s implementation of educational changes is a historical landmark and an excellent progression of the New Uzbekistan. By enhancing infrastructure, elevating the status of teachers, fostering innovation, and embracing digital and cultural transformations, Uzbekistan is fostering a robust development of its knowledge-based economy. Not only do these changes pertain to Uzbekistan’s care for its citizens, but they also showcase the country’s progressive approach towards the global community.
So in the end, the above perspective shows clearly that Uzbekistan can achieve the goal of educational and developmental targets set for 2030 and even beyond under the umbrella of continued commitment and visionary leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
