Increasing the valuation and weight of the teaching and mentoring professions is a vital issue in Uzbekistan, stated the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his wishes on the occasion of Teacher's and Mentor's Day marked on October 1.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev called the educating and upbringing of the younger generation "the greatest and noblest mission in the world."
"On this joyful day, I once again express to you, dear teachers, the deep respect of our people and heartfelt gratitude to all of you for the difficult and honorable work of building the future of the New Uzbekistan," he said.
"We will consistently continue the efforts we have begun to transform the teaching and mentoring professions into the most important and honorable in society," the president noted.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev listed the changes in education in recent years, which he also announced at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
Over the past eight years, government spending on education and science has increased sixfold, reaching 378 trillion soums. Hundreds of kindergartens, schools, technical schools, and universities have been built, and programs are being implemented to equip educational and scientific institutions with modern standards.
The number of kindergartens has increased from 5,200 to 38,000, with enrollment increasing from 27% to 78%. Teachers' salaries have been raised to the level of school teachers, and the salaries of the directors and teachers of these institutions have nearly doubled.
Starting next year, based on the experience of presidential schools, "Yangi Avlod" ("New Generation") kindergartens will open in all provinces. Teachers will be trained in advanced pedagogical technologies.
The construction of approximately 500 new schools and the expansion of existing ones have created an additional 1 million student places. More than 200,000 boys and girls attend private schools.
Starting with the new academic year, a 12-year school system will be introduced, along with unified state examinations for 9th and 11th grade students.
A system for admitting graduates to technical schools and universities based directly on their results will be introduced.
"Clearly, the future belongs to professionals with modern knowledge... It is essential that graduates of educational institutions be mature specialists, keeping up with the times, and able to withstand any competition." The new Agency for Professional Education is designed to "infuse this sector with new life," the president noted.
Over the course of the year, 100 technical schools will establish cooperation with educational institutions in developed countries—Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, China, and the Republic of Korea—and implement their curricula.
The coverage of dual education will be increased fivefold. The number of hours of foreign language instruction in technical schools will be quadrupled.
The position of school counselor will be introduced in comprehensive schools, providing career guidance to students starting in 7th grade.
The number of universities has increased from 77 to 202, and the number of students from 250,000 to 1.5 million.
Improving the working and living conditions of workers in the sector will remain a priority for reform, the president continued. He recalled that, starting in the new year, 25% of the down payment on a mortgage will be covered for top-category teachers with at least 15 years of experience.
A 30% discount on the tuition fee is planned for children of teachers admitted to state universities. Teachers will also receive a preferential loan of up to 10 million soums for the purchase of modern computer equipment.
Starting in the new year, government service fees for workers in the sector will be halved. Future teachers admitted to study at the world's top 300 universities will be provided with a preferential educational loan of up to $20,000.
"The outstanding scholars and thinkers who created two great Renaissances in our country's history were also trained and nurtured by teachers and mentors. I am confident that today, as the continuers of these noble traditions, you will make a worthy contribution to the formation of the Third Renaissance in our country," said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
