World Bank Document

 

 

Strategic Theme 4: Improving Access to Social Services 

 

19. 

The improving access to social services strategic theme was underpinned by 

significant analytical and advisory work. Uzbekistan has benefited from considerable analytical 

support and technical assistance in the areas of early childhood and tertiary public education, 

dialogue on poverty and social protection, and public education financing. Based on the extensive 

knowledge work, the Basic Education Project – Phase 2 contributed to the improvement of the 

quality of teaching through better education financing and school management, and introduction 

of a more student-centered approach to teaching. The project also provided learning materials for 

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Completion and Learning Review 

 

41 

 

22.5 % of the schools in the country. The Health 2 and 3 investment projects resulted in 

improvements in the quality of primary and secondary public health care by providing modern 

equipment for 188 rural health facilities (SVPs), 157 rayon medical unions

18

 and training of more 

than 8,000 doctors and 20,000 nurses. The remaining challenges include the need to help the 

Government improve the management of health financing, participate in international student 

assessments (PISA) and improve M&E systems in both sectors. The unavailability of reliable data 

impedes any comprehensive analysis in these two sectors which, in turn, prevents the responsible 

institutions to improve education and health outcomes in the long run. 

 

20. 

To respond to the need for access to water and sanitation services, in addition to the two 

ongoing investment operations, the Bank has approved another two projects

19

, which have 

contributed to secure the reliable access to improved sanitation services for 98 percent of the 

population in Bukhara and Samarkand cities. They have also improved water supply services in 

Syrdarya region and Alat and Karakul districts, as well as the capacity of the local governments 

and public utilities through training on utility management, operations, maintenance and 

communication. In addition, the Poverty and Social Impact Assessment of drinking water and 

sanitation conditions provided an overview of consumer perspectives of drinking water and 

sanitation service conditions in the country and suggested measures to make WSS services in 

Uzbekistan more effective for the ‘bottom 40 percent’.