Measures for the development of preschool and school education were discussed

On May 22, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev got acquainted with the presentation of proposals for the development of the preschool and school education system.

The first article of the new version of the Constitution of our country stipulates that Uzbekistan is a social state. One of the main functions of such a state is to ensure the availability of quality education. For the consistent development of this sphere, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education has been established as part of the administrative reform. Measures are being taken to structurally optimize the system, introduce modern programs, and stimulate workers in the field.

The presentation discussed the upcoming work in this direction.

It was noted that a new curriculum based on international experience will be introduced in primary schools. The number of subjects in high school will be reduced from 16 to 11, intersubject and inter-classroom integration of curricula will be provided with the introduction of 11 compulsory and 2 optional subjects. From the next academic year, the subject of computer science will be taught from the 1st grade.

Currently, 70 percent of the topics in the curriculum have no connection with everyday life. From now on, the share of practical classes will be increased from 40 to 60 percent. Topics will be taught by the example of solving a specific problem, and practical lessons will be taught in the form of project implementation.

In order to provide schools with qualified personnel, a teacher certification system will be created. So, a teacher entering a job will have to work as a trainee teacher for 1 year and receive a certificate during this period.

Tests for assigning a qualification category to teachers will be conducted in 2 stages. The first stage is an assessment of the candidate's knowledge in a profile subject, the second stage is an assessment of pedagogical skills. Teachers who have received a qualification certificate may be paid an allowance of up to 70 percent of the monthly salary.

Also, in order to attract qualified educators to kindergartens, starting from June 1, 2024, the rates for their remuneration will be equated to the rates applied to school teachers.

Granting general education schools the right to freely dispose of extra-budgetary funds gives them the opportunity to improve the material base and make additional payments to teachers. Now it is planned to extend this procedure also to kindergartens and specialized schools.

Boards of directors consisting of the most experienced directors will be created to form a corps of qualified management personnel on the ground. From now on, school principals will be appointed to this position on the recommendation of the council through an open competition.

At the same time, the powers of the district (city) departments of the Ministry to inspect the activities of schools and assess the quality of education will be terminated. The requirements for the organization of private schools will be facilitated.

The meeting also touched upon the issues of meaningful organization of children's leisure, the opening of modern clubs with the involvement of the private sector.

The Head of State approved these proposals and gave instructions on the transformation of the system, professional development and stimulation of teachers.