Teachers without language certificates permitted to work temporarily

The foreign language teachers in schools who do not yet hold a B2-level language certificate are permitted to continue their work until the end of this year. This decision was outlined in the order issued on September 15 by the Minister of Preschool and School Education regarding necessary measures to ensure foreign language teachers meet the required certification level.

According to the order, all foreign language teachers in general education schools are required to have at least a B2-level national or equivalent international certificate. However, as an exception, those currently working without the required certification are allowed to continue their teaching activities until the end of 2025, covering the first and second terms of the current academic year.

In addition, according to the minister's order, foreign language teachers who already hold the required certification but whose certificates expire during the academic year are allowed to continue working until the end of the current school year.

Moreover, for any vacant positions that may arise in general education schools during this academic year, a reserve of candidates will be formed from 3rd and 4th-year university students studying foreign language teaching who hold the required certification.

Furthermore, until December 1 of this year, additional training sessions will be organized for foreign language teachers who do not yet have the required certificate. These sessions will be conducted by qualified specialists recruited by district (or city) departments of Preschool and School Education as part of the preparation for national and international foreign language certification exams administered by authorized organizations.

Clause 9 of the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution no. 312, ’’On measures to effectively promote the study of foreign languages,’’ stipulates that by the 2025/2026 academic year, all foreign language teachers working in state educational institutions, including general education, secondary specialized, and vocational schools, must hold at least a B2-level national or an equivalent international certificate demonstrating their proficiency in the foreign language they teach.

It is worth noting that earlier, following this requirement, the Republican Council of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Uzbekistan submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, urging that teachers without an international language certificate should not be dismissed.

Subsequently, in response to this proposal, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education clarified that it had not issued any official instructions to terminate employment contracts of teachers who do not hold an international language certificate.