New agency to be set up in Uzbekistan

The Agency for Vocational Education will be established in Uzbekistan. This was announced today, September 9, at a videoconference chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the implementation of reforms in preschool and general education, as well as future priorities.

’’We have 598 technical schools with the capacity to admit 450,000 students. This is a great resource, condition, and opportunity for our youth. However, this year, out of 608,000 ninth-grade graduates, only 182,000 have enrolled in technical schools. From today, one year will be declared the year of vocational training for youth’’, the President stated.

Officials, together with regional and district governors, have been tasked with introducing a modern vocational training environment in 598 technical schools this year, based on the experience gained at Presidential and specialized schools, in line with international standards. In general, governors have been instructed to ensure that at least 50 percent of ninth-grade graduates, an additional 200,000 students compared to the current figure, are enrolled in technical schools in the next academic year. To carry out these tasks under a unified policy, the Agency for Vocational Education will be established.

Furthermore, a system has been introduced this year to shape university admission quotas based on workforce demand in investment projects. From now on, vocational schools will also prepare specialists according to investors’ needs. At the request of investors, up to 30 percent of the curriculum at technical schools may be modified.

Enterprises that implement dual education in cooperation with technical schools will be eligible for concessional loans. At the same time, concerns were raised that industry associations are failing to develop proper qualification requirements for their member employers. As a result, companies are suffering losses while technical schools are uncertain about what to teach.

Relevant officials have been instructed to work with the newly established agency by the end of this year to develop sector-specific standards and requirements for essential professions.