E d u c a t I o n I n u z b e k I s t a n

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E D U C A T I O N I N U Z B E K I S T A N
Since gaining independence in 1991, the government of 
Uzbekistan
 has 
committed to reforming the education system and making this system a national 
priority. Free compulsory education for all children, as well as over 60 schools of 
higher learning, has lead Uzbekistan to achieve one of the highest 
literacy rates
 in 
the world. 
Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan has a population of over 26 million people. 
As the region’s most populated country, the government has taken significant 
measures to ensure high quality instruction for all children. 
The Law on Education, established in 1997, states that all citizens have the right 
to 
education in Uzbekistan
. After minor revisions, the law also encompasses that 
citizens are required to attend nine years of primary and secondary schooling. 
Students are then allowed to either continue with higher education for three years or 
seek vocational training, education that prepares children for a specific career path. 
The Ministry of Public Education and the Ministry of Higher and Secondary 
Specialized Education are responsible for all pre-school, general education schools, 
higher learning establishments and vocational education. Together, they have been 
working to improve state educational standards and curriculum, reconstruct school 
buildings and strengthen teachers’ capacities at all levels. 
Research shows that access to primary and secondary education in Uzbekistan 
is above average for the sub-region. The net enrollment rate for primary school is 97 

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percent, compared to the lesser 92 percent average of the Central Asian countries. 
Students also have a 100 percent transition rate to secondary school, indicating that 
the gap in access between primary to secondary school is virtually non-existent. 
However, the Government of Uzbekistan does struggle with 
early childhood 
education
. Only 20 percent of children aged 3 years old to 5 years old are attending 
preschool, a figure that was much higher prior to independence. The limited access 
to preschool and primary school for the 130,000 children with disabilities remains an 
area of primary concern. 
Although methods such as homeschooling are available for these children, they 
have proven insufficient in meeting the educational needs of this young population. 
There are few schools and teachers with the necessary supplies and training to deal 
with children with severe disabilities and learning difficulties. Thus school quality 
has been a recent target for improvement. In 2006, a learning assessment given to a 
small group of Uzbek students illustrated that only 30 percent of children were 
considered to be competent in basic mathematic skills. Likewise, a mere 30 percent 
of children scored above a proficient level in the literacy assessment. 
Many attribute the basic levels of math and literacy to the shortage of teachers. 
Although teacher salaries have been raised, a large gap exists between teacher wages 
and the average salary in Uzbekistan. Schools not only find it extremely difficult to 
recruit new prospects, but also to keep experienced teachers. 

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Although education in Uzbekistan has seen great improvement over the years, 
a lot more can be done in order to see the country succeed. According to UNICEF, 
the Government of Uzbekistan has to increase educational access to children in 
remote areas and those with special needs. In addition, school infrastructure must be 
structured to accommodate students with disabilities as well as create a safe and 
workable environment for teachers and students alike. With these changes, there is 
great hope that children in Uzbekistan will have a bright future ahead of them.