The Ministry of Education and Science has been established in Uzbekistan, which unifies the system from preschool education to higher education and science under a single administration. This was announced by the presidential press secretary, Sherzod Asadov.
According to the president's decree, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, as well as the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, have been reorganized into a single Ministry of Education and Science.
The main goal of these reforms is to manage education, upbringing, and science through an integrated system, ensure coherence between all stages of learning, improve quality and efficiency, and develop human capital.
Within the new structure, the Ministry of Education and Science will be responsible for the activities of preschool, school, vocational, and higher education institutions, as well as their operational processes. Furthermore, the ministry sets requirements for educational activities and handles accreditation and licensing matters.
The National Agency for Ensuring Quality of Education is responsible for developing curricula, manuals, and methodological materials, implementing them in practice, and monitoring results. Identified shortcomings will be used to improve programs and methodologies. This process will be based on the 'portrait of the Uzbek school graduate.'
A special working group is being created under the Presidential Administration to develop a national concept for human capital development and lifelong learning. The entrepreneur Zafar Khoshimov will head the group, which will include entrepreneurs, industry specialists, scientists, and international experts.
The working group will be responsible for developing the structure of the new ministry, reviewing work processes, and preparing proposals for the overall reform strategy. In higher education, there are plans to significantly reduce state intervention, expand university autonomy, and create broader opportunities for the non-state sector. It was noted that the quality of education should be determined by free competition and market demand.
In addition to issuing decrees and decisions, appointments have also been made. Ilhom Siradjev has been appointed Deputy Minister of Education and Science for Compliance and Anti-Corruption issues, and Obid Khakimov has become Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration for Education Reform issues. Kamoliddin Mardonov was appointed Presidential Advisor on Economic Policy and Rector of Yangi Uzbekistan University.
