As part of the International Partnership Initiatives Week “New Uzbekistan: Development, Innovation and Enlightenment”, an International Conference “Uzbekistan – a healthy and educated society” was organized in Tashkent.

The conference was organized to discuss the role of education and science in the development of human capital in New Uzbekistan, to exchange views on current trends in reforming the education system, their application in practice, taking into account world experience, to familiarize the general public with the reforms carried out in education and science in Uzbekistan.

Minister of Preschool and School Education Hilola Umarova spoke about the reforms in the sphere.

– The territory of Uzbekistan in ancient times was the cradle of two great epochs of the Renaissance, – says Ms. Umarova. – Such great geniuses as Fergani, Khwarizmi, Farabi, Beruni, Ibn Sina, Bukhari, Termizi, Ulugbek, Jami, Navoi lived and worked here. Uzbekistan has been paying great attention to education in recent years. Education is an important strategic issue because, in the country, more than 50 percent of the population are young people under 29 years old.

The “Education 2030” concept clearly defines the work that will be implemented in the education system until 2030. Within the framework of this concept, positive results have been achieved. Expansion of the preschool education system has been identified as one of the priorities in the country. Enrollment of children has increased from 27 to 72 percent in the last 5 years. By 2030, it is planned to cover all children with preschool education. Over the past 5 years, 261 new schools have been built, 700,000 student places have been created by expanding 2.5 thousand schools, and administrative liability for interference in the activities of teachers has been strengthened. Separate administrative and criminal liability measures have been established for engaging in forced labor.

For the first time, our country began to participate in international studies of education quality assessment (PISA, PIRLS, TIMMS). In the Global Innovation Index, Uzbekistan climbed 7 positions to 65th out of 131 countries.

Mukhayyo Toshqorayeva, UzA