Voluntary work by students and teachers in a schoolyard was revealed in Samarkand

Recently, reports surfaced about students allegedly being forced into labor at the 75th general education school in the Payarik district of the Samarkand region. The regional Department of Pre-school and School Education responded, confirming that the video in question was indeed filmed at this school.

On September 11, the school administration denied claims that the students depicted in the video, who were seen plowing the land with hoes, were involved in forced labor.

Upon investigation by a working group comprised of district pre-school and school education department officials and partner organizations, it was revealed that the footage captured students from the 9th-grade "B" class (previously 8th-grade "B" class) working in the schoolyard on April 19, 2024. The students, part of the "My Pride" technology class circle focused on "Florist Profession, Greenhouse Flowers, and Field Flowers," reportedly decided on their own to plant flowers on a small plot of land.

Furthermore, the administration clarified that the video showing teachers engaged in landscaping was filmed on August 8, 2024.

According to the report, an extraordinary Pedagogical Council meeting was held at the school on August 7, during which the school director invited staff to voluntarily assist with beautification efforts. Twelve out of the 50 teachers at the school chose to participate.

"Currently, efforts are underway to identify the individual who recorded and maliciously circulated the footage on social media. Appropriate legal action will be taken against them," the statement concluded.