Teachers are going back to the cotton fields...

In recent years, a number of reforms have been implemented in the education system, with special attention paid to exempting teachers from unnecessary duties. In particular, the mandatory involvement of teachers in the cotton harvest was also stopped.

However, the latest news circulating on social networks - "Teachers are returning to the cotton fields" - raises new concerns among the public.

According to the latest information circulating on social networks, teachers were given instructions to involve parents in the cotton harvest. This situation is causing wide discussions.

While it is emphasized that teachers should not participate in the cotton harvest, reports that assignments related to involving parents will be given are at the center of discussions. Economist Otabek Bakirov attributes this situation to the formation of prices for raw cotton.

"As of September 18, one kilogram of cotton harvested by hand is being paid from 1,300 to 1,600 soums, an average of about 1,500 soums. Cheaper in the valley, more expensive in the oasis. For comparison, in 2022, the amount of harvest fees ranged from 1,500 to 1,800.
Last year, the recommended payment amount for the first harvest was 1,500 soums. For information, accumulated inflation over 2 years has reached 21%. At the same time, against the backdrop of a decrease in the purchase price of raw cotton, the share of harvest money in the price structure has increased from an average of 14% to 20% over the past 2 years," the economist said.

Due to the low cost of raw cotton, many people may be reluctant to go to the cotton field. This may have been the reason why teachers were given such assignments. In order to study the opinion of teachers on this situation, we conducted a survey on the Telegram channel @xalqtaliminfo. So far, about 3,000 educators have participated in the survey, 17 percent of whom indicated that they are involved in activities related to the cotton harvesting season. The survey is currently ongoing.

The teacher, who did not want to be named, appealed to xalqtaliminfo.uz that special instructions were given to teachers in Namangan region to involve parents in the cotton harvest.

The editorial office of Xalqtaliminfo.uz contacted Dilfuza Sobirova, the head of the Ministry's Information Service, to learn the position of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education on this situation and what measures it plans to take.

The ministry stated that the involvement of teachers in the cotton harvest is illegal and strongly opposes any form of forced labor.

"The Ministry of Preschool and School Education strongly opposes any form of forced labor. In particular, he considers it illegal to involve teachers in the cotton harvest. Today, a working group consisting of employees of the Anti-Corruption and Legal Control Department has been established in the ministry, and appropriate measures will be taken through law enforcement agencies in connection with any illegal situation identified.

Dear teachers, if you are involved in activities that are not within your competence, immediately call the hotline numbers of the ministry: (71) 202-09-09," said Dilfuza Sobirova, head of the information service of the ministry.