According to a statement from the press service of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan, starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, morning classes at higher educational institutions located in Tashkent will begin at 8:00 AM.
This decision applies to all higher educational institutions in the capital. The goal of unifying the start time of classes in urban campuses is to achieve a more even distribution of peak transport loads and reduce congestion on main highways and in public transport networks during morning commutes.
This change occurs against the backdrop of ongoing municipal evaluations regarding the working hours of state institutions. Previously, the Tashkent City Administration conducted a public survey to gather opinions on transitioning to a work schedule from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for city and district municipal departments, administrative offices, and subordinate units.
Previously, the schedules of major universities were also adjusted to manage traffic. In January 2023, changes were made to the schedules of 31 higher educational institutions located near metro stations, with start times distributed as follows: five universities began classes at 8:00 AM, one at 8:30 AM, and the rest at 9:30 AM, to reduce the morning load on the Tashkent metro system.
Under the new policy, all higher educational institutions across Tashkent will align their main morning schedules to start at 8:00 AM in the upcoming academic year.