Head of the Public Education Department penalized for unlawfully dismissing a school principal in Fergana

Earlier, reports emerged that teachers at a school in Buvayda district, Fergana region, were being forced to remain on duty around the clock. Following this, H.N., who had been serving as acting principal of Secondary School No. 37 in the district, was dismissed from his position based on an order issued by the regional Department of Preschool and School Education (DPSE). The head of the department has now been penalized for unlawfully dismissing the principal. This was reported by the State Labor Inspectorate.

According to the report, administrative liability measures were applied to the head of the Fergana Regional Department of Preschool and School Education for violating labor legislation requirements during the process of removing the school principal from office and appointing a new one. Administrative fines were also imposed on the head of the Khorezm Regional Department of Preschool and School Education for similar violations of labor laws.

In addition, administrative case materials compiled against an official of the Uchtepa District Department of Preschool and School Education for obstructing a teacher in the performance of official duties were forwarded to the courts for consideration.

Teachers forced to remain on duty

At the beginning of the year, information circulated on social media claiming that teachers at a school in Buvayda district, Fergana region, were being compelled to remain on duty day and night. Subsequently, the regional Department of Preschool and School Education issued a statement, saying that it had been determined that H.N., acting principal of Secondary School No. 37, had assigned duties to teaching staff that were not part of their official responsibilities, specifically requiring them to perform continuous duty shifts in violation of established procedures. Based on an order dated January 6, H.N. was dismissed from the position of acting principal.

Later, it emerged that the instruction to involve teachers in round-the-clock duty had originated from the ministry itself. An official directive sent to educational institutions was shared on social media, requesting the establishment of continuous 24-hour duty and the operation of territorial headquarters from December 25, 2025, to January 5, 2026. The ministry did not issue an official statement regarding this matter.

However, the dismissal of the acting principal of Secondary School No. 37 in Buvayda district was later reviewed by the State Labor Inspectorate, which concluded that the dismissal was unlawful. As a result, the school principal was reinstated to the position.