Minister Ezoza Karimova made a presentation to the President for the first time

On February 4, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals for further improving the preschool education and upbringing system.

This is the first presentation by Ezoza Karimova on improving the system of preschool education and upbringing since her appointment to the position of minister.

(Former Minister Hilola Umarova presented educational reforms to the president six times during her two-year tenure.)

At the presentation of Ezoza Karimova on February 4, the measures developed to bring the preschool education system to a new level were discussed.

During the presentation, it was noted that to increase preschool education coverage to 80 percent, it is necessary to create new kindergarten places, and in 39 districts and cities, preschool coverage remains below 70 percent. It was also noted that 61 percent of teachers in state kindergartens and 76 percent in non-state kindergartens have secondary specialized education, and further increasing the potential of personnel is a pressing issue.

From now on, the educational program of one-year preparatory groups for school will be introduced as the initial stage of compulsory general secondary education. The main goal is to thoroughly prepare children for school education and ensure continuity in education.

A game-based learning model is being introduced in the preschool education system, and the educational process is being organized taking into account the child's natural abilities and interests. The educational environment will be updated based on advanced foreign experience.

It is also planned to form a network of preschool educational organizations "Yangi avlod." In 2026-2028, state kindergartens "Yangi Avlod" for 120 places will be created in each region, as well as Innovative Centers for the Development of Children within them. Additional staff positions of managers and educator-instructors will be introduced in these kindergartens, and managers and teaching staff will be paid a monthly bonus of 20 percent of the tariff rate.

Non-state educational organizations providing preschool and general secondary education services are also allowed to organize one-year preparatory groups for school. This is aimed at expanding healthy competition and increasing coverage in the educational services market.

Special attention will also be paid to personnel training. Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, educational programs in the areas of preschool and primary education in pedagogical higher educational institutions will be improved in accordance with international best practices. At the same time, a system for training bachelors based on dual education ("5+1) will be introduced for pedagogical personnel with secondary specialized education.

Starting from the 2027-2028 academic year, it is planned to issue an electronic certificate of the state form to children who received education and upbringing in preparatory groups for school, and this information will be recorded in the certificate of general secondary education.

The presentation also discussed new benefits aimed at supporting the private sector in the field of preschool education.

In order to expand the participation of the private sector in the field of preschool education, a number of support measures will be introduced for entrepreneurs in districts and cities (except for the city of Tashkent) with a coverage level of less than 80 percent.

In particular, when organizing kindergartens on the basis of public-private partnership on vacant land plots on the territory of schools and kindergartens, rent is not charged for up to 30 years. Also, a subsidy of 50 percent of the cost per child in state kindergartens will be allocated for each pupil. This procedure will also apply to non-state kindergartens established from 2024.

If non-state kindergartens with a capacity of at least 150 places are established in areas with low coverage, preferential loans of up to 5 billion soums will be allocated for a period of up to 7 years. At the same time, the costs of paying monthly salaries to educators will be reimbursed for three years based on the norms established in state kindergartens. There is one staff of educators for every 30 children.

These benefits also apply to private kindergartens created on the first floors of new apartment buildings.

In addition, until January 1, 2030, entrepreneurs who have created non-state kindergartens with a capacity of at least 150 places will be provided with benefits on the social tax rate.