Teachers and students forced to dig and clean ditches in Kashkadarya  

Kashkadarya, April 2 – Teachers and students of School No. 105 in the Chirakchi district of Kashkadarya region were reportedly forced to participate in landscaping work under the “Green Space” project by the school director.  

A complaint received by QALAMPIR.UZ states that those who refused to comply faced threats of dismissal or salary reductions.  

Despite multiple appeals to the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment—responsible for combating forced labor—as well as regional and district departments, no response was received.  

The Ministry of Preschool and School Education has since addressed the issue, stating that disciplinary measures will be taken against those responsible for the violations.  

“The situation is under the control of the Kashkadarya regional Department of Preschool and School Education and is being reviewed in accordance with procedures set by the regional Department of Employment to ensure a legal assessment,” the ministry’s report stated.  

According to the law “On the Status of Teachers”, educators cannot be forced to engage in work unrelated to their professional duties, including landscaping and agricultural labor.  

Earlier, a school principal who compelled teachers to pull weeds was fined 50 times the basic calculation amount.