Can a teacher who has completed retraining in surdopedagogy teach in correctional classes?

Question

I teach correctional subjects at a boarding school for children with hearing impairments. My qualification is as a teacher of preschool education and children’s sports. In addition, I have completed retraining programs in primary education and in the field of surdopedagogy (education of children with hearing impairments). I have also obtained the second qualification category in defectology.

This year, during the allocation of teaching hours, I have been told that teaching hours cannot be assigned to me. They say that, according to the curriculum, correctional subjects may be taught by defectologists. In this situation, am I entitled to receive teaching hours taking into account my second qualification category? I have 33 years of total work experience. Thank you in advance for your response.

Answer

The Regulation “On State Specialized Educational Institutions for Children with Special Educational Needs”, approved by Resolution No. 638 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated October 12, 2021, regulates the activities of state specialized educational institutions for children with special educational needs.

According to paragraph 44 of this Regulation, special pedagogues with higher education in the field of correctional pedagogy and defectology (specialists in surdopedagogy, typhlopedagogy, oligophrenopedagogy, and speech therapy) may work in specialized educational institutions in the positions of teacher and educator. 

In addition, teachers who know sign language may work as teachers in specialized educational institutions for children with hearing impairments, as may specialist employees who have completed appropriate retraining in accordance with the type (field) of activity of the specialized educational institution.

The Regulation “On the Procedure for Class Formation and the Preparation of Tariff Lists in State Specialized Educational Institutions for Children with Special Educational Needs”, registered by the Ministry of Justice on April 16, 2026, under No. 3819, establishes the procedure for class formation and the preparation of tariff lists in state specialized educational institutions for children with special educational needs.

According to paragraph 13 of this Regulation, in order to teach at specialized educational institutions, a special pedagogue is required to have higher education in the field of correctional pedagogy and defectology (specialists in surdopedagogy, typhlopedagogy, oligophrenopedagogy, and speech therapy), or to have completed appropriate retraining in accordance with the type (field) of activity of the specialized educational institution.

Teaching hours may not be allocated to special pedagogues who do not meet these requirements. Furthermore, paragraph 18 of Annex 1-a to Order No. 218 of the Director of the National Agency for Social Protection dated May 26, 2026, “On Approval of the Basic Curricula for Schools and Boarding Schools for Children with Hearing Impairments for the 2026/2027 Academic Year and the Pilot Implementation of Variable Curricula”, provides that the subjects “Development of Auditory Perception and Formation of Pronunciation”, “Musical Rhythmics”, “Speech Communication”, and “Orientation in Social and Everyday Life” are to be taught by specialists with higher education in special pedagogy (defectology or surdopedagogy).

Therefore, if a teacher holds a professional retraining diploma in surdopedagogy, they are entitled to apply for the relevant teaching hours at the specialized educational institution in question.

In this case, the teacher’s second qualification category is also a priority indicator taken into account when allocating teaching hours. The retraining diploma provides the right to teach at a boarding school for children with hearing impairments.

For reference: According to paragraph 14 of the Regulation “On the Procedure for Class Formation and the Preparation of Tariff Lists in State Specialized Educational Institutions for Children with Special Educational Needs”, teaching hours are allocated to special pedagogues holding the second qualification category after special pedagogues who hold the highest or first qualification category, as well as those holding a nationally or internationally recognized certificate.