Spirituality, enlightenment, a ray of goodness. A vivid manifestation of reforms in the country

Waking up every morning, we rejoice when the rays of the sun shine through the window. This phenomenon seems to confirm that light will surely come after darkness, that good always wins and life continues. It gives us strength, lifts our spirits.

Such rays are science and enlightenment. If the rays of the sun provide life on earth, then the ray of enlightenment helps people to live calmly and peacefully, safely, according to the laws of goodness, allowing them to develop and make progress. 

The Land of Great Thinkers
Uzbekistan is the birthplace of great scientists and thinkers. This region, known as Movarounnahr, has long been a center of enlightenment, a crossroads of civilizations. Scientists have grown up on this sacred land, spreading the rays of science and enlightenment to the whole world. They laid the foundation for many areas of science, became the guiding star of world civilization. 
Initiatives aimed at spreading the light of science to the whole world occupy a special place in the activities of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at increasing the glory of our Motherland. This conclusion allows us to make the participation of our leader in the opening ceremony of a new school in the city of Fuzuli during the recent visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan. 
As you know, over the past almost 30 years, as a result of military operations, Fuzuli was completely destroyed and turned into a ghost town. After the start of restoration work in 2020, life is gradually returning here. Housing, social and transport infrastructure are being built.
In such an important and difficult period, Uzbekistan has demonstrated its solidarity with Azerbaijan. At the informal summit of the Turkic Council held on March 31, 2021, the head of our country stressed that Uzbekistan is ready to contribute to the restoration of monuments, educational and cultural facilities in Karabakh. And it was realized. 
The construction of a modern school in the city of Fuzuli, designed for 960 students, has become the practical embodiment of the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan. This school, named after Mirzo Ulugbek, has 40 classrooms, six laboratories, two computer science classrooms, five functional classrooms, assembly and sports halls, a canteen, and a library. On its territory there is a football field, places for recreation and events, a running track. The new school will serve to further bring our peoples closer together, introduce young Azerbaijanis to the rich history and culture of Uzbekistan, the heritage of our great ancestors. 
This is not the first good deed aimed at spreading science and enlightenment. A few years ago, it was on the initiative of the head of our state that an educational center for the youth of Afghanistan was opened in Termez. Not everyone can devote himself to spreading the rays of education, science and enlightenment in the current period, when the leaders of some states are chasing authority and ratings.
There is no salvation except science
The basis of development and the force that makes a country powerful and a nation great are science, education and upbringing. It is science and enlightenment that lead a person to perfection, give him confidence. A vivid confirmation of this idea is the words of Imam Bukhari that there is no other salvation in the world and there will be no other salvation except science. 
It is no coincidence that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasizes in his speeches: "Tomorrow, the well-being of the planet depends on what kind of people our children will grow up to be.  Our key task is to provide conditions for the self—realization of young people." 
Today, when the world is changing rapidly, when various threats appear that hinder the stability and reliable development of peoples, it is very important to pay attention to education and spirituality, moral education, and the desire of young people to acquire new knowledge. It is education and enlightenment that are considered the main factors of the well-being of mankind, call people to kindness, encourage them to be generous, patient. 
There have been dramatic geopolitical changes on the planet recently. The system of security and stability is being destroyed on an international scale. The acceleration of the globalization process not only expands the possibilities of humanity, but at the same time leads to an aggravation of contradictions, an increase in the difference between developed and backward states. As a result, actions are committed that pose a threat to peace and security, which are transnational in nature and in scale. All this is explained by the lack of attention to knowledge and education. 
Consequences of armament 
At present, when the contradictions between the powerful states of the world are growing, when more than two trillion dollars a year is spent on the production and purchase of weapons, not every state can support science and education, allocate huge funds for this purpose. According to scientists' calculations, the total annual cost of the military sphere is five times higher than the amount of costs necessary for environmental protection. 
According to a saying attributed to Albert Einstein, when asked: "What weapons will be used in World War III?" he replied: "I do not know what weapons will be used in World War III, but the Fourth World War will be fought with sticks and stones." Thus, the great scientist figuratively said that if the Third World War happens, then as a result, the current civilization will perish. 
These words warn humanity. However, in the time that has passed since they were said, even more weapons of mass destruction have been manufactured, and they have been improved. As a result, the accumulated stocks of nuclear weapons exceeded 50 thousand megatons of trinitrotoluene, which is 10 thousand times more than explosives of all types that were used in World War II. In other words, the ammunition currently available can destroy the population of the globe 50 times, or 3.5 tons of explosives per inhabitant of the planet. 
When the gun rattles, it kills people, and when it is silent, it ruins its manufacturer. From an economic point of view, weapons should never be idle. Even in peacetime, destructive weapons from the moment of their creation, enriching the military-industrial complex, destroys the economy, that is, the dream of a prosperous life. Illiteracy, environmental violations, housing shortages, food shortages and other problems have arisen due to the arms race. Currently, 960-980 million people on the planet are illiterate, two billion people cannot eat properly, one billion do not have housing. 40 thousand children die every day because of hunger in the world. 
If some types of weapons produced are calculated in money, then the following figures will be obtained: nine schools can be built on the funds spent for the production of one F-14 fighter aircraft; five medium-sized hospitals can be spent on the funds spent on the production of one strategic ballistic missile; the funds used for the production of one tank can be to build two-bedroom apartments for 36 families. At the cost of one Trident-2 strategic ballistic missile, 16 million children can be trained for a year and meals can be arranged for them. 
What will save the world?
Over the past little more than 100 years, the world has experienced two world wars. During the latter, more than 50 million people died. This is equal to the population of an entire country! And who counted the number of people who died prematurely because of the troubles that wars brought - difficulties, separation, diseases, wounds, hunger, poverty? In general, is it possible to calculate troubles and misfortunes in numbers? And the fear and panic in the souls of loved ones? 
What can save the world on Earth? Of course, science and education. Once again — science and education. It is no coincidence that from the first days of his presidency, Shavkat Mirziyoyev openly raised the issue of mistakes and shortcomings that had been made for many decades, and began to solve the accumulated problems as soon as possible. This can be seen in the example of large-scale reforms aimed at eliminating various restrictions and artificial barriers in matters of self-awareness, religious beliefs and freedom of speech, which was the most painful problem for our people, who are hungry for knowledge and enlightenment. 
It should be emphasized that when implementing reforms in each area, priority was given to the spiritual, moral, scientific and cultural elevation of the people, their awareness of their national mentality, honor and dignity. And in this process, the main goal has been realized — to raise the economic and social development of the country and the people to a new level, which will lead to a new period of revival, restoration and glorification, in a word, a Renaissance that our people have experienced several times in their history. This is a truth that is recognized by the world community. 
It is no exaggeration to say that the large-scale changes carried out in the country in recent years and the successes achieved in the fields of education, science, and spiritual life are really impressive in their volume and scope.

Visible results of a good initiative 
The head of the New Uzbekistan boldly puts forward initiatives at the forums of reputable international and regional organizations, including those related to spiritual and educational issues. Thus, the initiative on the adoption of the resolution "Education and religious tolerance", announced at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly, has been widely approved by the international community and is being implemented. There is no doubt that the results of this initiative will have a beneficial impact on the lives of the world's population. 
The current process of modernization, the effectiveness of reforms and transformations depend on school education, personnel training issues. The President pays close attention to the development of education. The future of the country, success in all areas and the implementation of projects depend on educated people. Over the past five years, a lot has been done to improve the quality of education, raise the status and prestige of teachers. 
Let's focus on one fact from the past: the beginning of a new school year in the unwritten annual work plan of the teacher marked the beginning of the cotton harvest season. During these months, which lasted until the cold winter, the teacher and his students spent in the field picking cotton. In winter, the teacher was given the opportunity to engage in his professional activities for some time, but even then he could not devote enough time to students because of the multitude of papermaking tasks. And with the beginning of spring, he was again involved in field work. In addition, the "help" in landscaping also fell on the shoulders of the teacher. And for such merits they paid a small salary. Many teachers have moved to other fields. And there are almost no male teachers left in the education system. The effectiveness of training and the qualitative composition of teachers were also appropriate. 
Now the country has entered a new period. The teacher was relieved of unnecessary duties. He is only tasked with educating young people with mature, perfect personalities. In the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026, the fourth direction is devoted specifically to the development of education and human capital. The goal is, of course, important. But if we don't introduce modern teaching methods, we may fall behind in this competitive world.
The President prioritizes such tasks as the construction of high-quality modern schools, the creation of effective teaching methods that meet the requirements of the time. After all, in order to become a developed society, it is necessary to pay attention first of all to the development of science and education. There are many examples of this in history. Education, which is the basis of society, promotes reforms and progress, opens the way to innovation. 
The only right way of development 
Humanity only thanks to knowledge was able to know the immensity of the universe and the mystery of its existence in atoms. If it were not for science, today there would be no knowledge about gravity, laser surgery, digital technologies and other advanced, vital innovations.
Today, the world is so in need of high—quality education and the development of science that it has become clear that the gates to progress are now opened only with their help. 
It is no coincidence that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in his Message to the Oliy Majlis and the People of Uzbekistan, proposed declaring 2023 the Year of Human Care and Quality Education. The Head of State said: "Improving the quality of education is the only right way to develop the New Uzbekistan." 
Quality education will always be a priority task of strategic importance for the development of the country in the coming centuries. 
Today, we can say with firm confidence that the attention to education in our country, the issue of the development of academic science have received a constitutional basis. If in the previous Constitution the word "education" was used only twice, then in the new version of the Basic Law this word is used 20 times, that is 10 times more. The norms included in it are based on the goal of strengthening the education system. 
According to available data, in developed countries, much attention is paid to investing in the full cycle of education — from 3 to 22 years. And this investment will benefit society in the future by 15-17 times. 
The study of international experience in the field of education plays an important role in the development of the country. The fact that our state for the first time began to participate in international studies on the assessment of the quality of education (PISA, PIRLS, TIMMS) is already giving its results. According to the Global Innovation Indices report for 2022, Uzbekistan has risen seven steps among 131 states and ranked 65th. 
Of course, quality education is an urgent process for progress. Problems in this area may lead to serious social and economic consequences in the future. Despite the fact that in some countries, primary education coverage has reached 91 percent, yet more than 57 million children remain outside of school. In Uzbekistan, work in the field is systematically established, one hundred percent coverage of school-age children is provided with education. Today, there are eight million pupils and students in the sphere of preschool and school education, and the number of teachers is one million people. 
At the World Conference on the Upbringing and Education of Young Children, held in Tashkent in 2022, Uzbekistan's reforms in the field of education received high recognition. As a practical continuation of this recognition, at the 216th session of the UNESCO Executive Council, held on May 10-24 in Paris, on the initiative of Uzbekistan, a resolution was unanimously approved on the implementation of the Tashkent Declaration and commitments to take measures to transform the upbringing and education of young children. Also in 2022, the publication "Finance Inquirer" announced 10 advanced countries with positive dynamics in attracting children to preschool educational institutions. In it, Uzbekistan took first place in the world ranking. 
The torch that lit up our hearts 
These indicators are just the beginning. Our country is on the verge of great achievements. At the same time, science is the way of salvation, the right path leading to happiness. It is our main duty to appreciate the conditions created for us, to become harmoniously developed people who think about the interests of the people. To be enlightened, to fight against ignorance — tasks that are important for tomorrow. 
We must not forget one thing. On the territory of our country in the IX—XII centuries, the torch of science lit up, the first Renaissance took place, which raised famous thinkers who received recognition all over the world. In particular, the scientific and creative inventions of great thinkers such as Muhammad Khorezmi, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Abu Ali ibn Sina, Ahmad Ferghani, Mahmud Zamakhshari, had an incomparable impact on human development. 
The great ulama who lived on our land during the historical period called the Golden Age of Islamic Culture — Imam Bukhari, Imam Termizi, Imam Moturidi, Burhaniddin Marghinani, Abu Muin Nasafi — have become widely famous and are considered the pride of the entire Muslim world. 
The state founded by Sahibkiran Amir Temur laid the foundation of the second Renaissance, in which Kazizade Rumi, Mirzo Ulugbek, Giesiddin Koshi, Ali Kushchi, classical poets Abdurakhman Jami, Lutfi, Sakkoki, Hafiz Khorezmi, Alisher Navoi, Babur Mirzo worked. The fame of historians Sharafiddin Ali Yazdi, Mirkhonda and Khondamir, of artists Mahmoud Muzakhhib and Kamoliddin Behzod spread to the whole world. The fact that during the two Renaissance our wise people were among the most developed, inspires special pride in our hearts. 
Today, the torch of enlightenment of the Renaissance period has risen in New Uzbekistan. The President's words that we are building the foundation of the third Renaissance are confirmed in the current transformations and changes. 
Renaissance is a nationwide revival, a new stage of progress. He will eliminate the fragmentation in the nation's thinking, turn it into one creative force, a powerful wave that will awaken the creative power of the nation, educate and bring to the surface great geniuses, harmonious personalities of the XXI century. 
Today in our lives we feel a slight movement of this wave. And it is up to each of us to give it strength. As the President emphasizes: "We are a people with a great history, a great culture, who are not afraid of any trials, overcoming any difficulties with honor on the way to a free and prosperous life. If we work together, cohesively and conscientiously, we will be able to conquer any, the highest boundaries." 
The period of the new Renaissance, for which we are laying the foundation with great dreams and hopes, will be another manifestation of our genes, another reflection of the power of a great people in life. He will make our tomorrow even brighter, our life even more prosperous. It will serve to ensure that we leave a worthy legacy to the next generations. 

Utkir Rahmat.