In Uzbekistan, education is one of the most criticized and debated sectors. However, the deeper questions — what is education, why is it needed, what is its purpose — are rarely discussed. To fill this gap, Gazeta has launched a new podcast series. The first episode is dedicated to the philosophy of education, a field that explores the goals and functions of education.
The podcast featured education expert Komil Jalilov, political scientist and educator Hamid Sodiq, and Ziroatxon Komilova, principal of School No. 243 in Olmazor district. Komil Jalilov, a permanent guest of the series, stated: “Philosophy of education is a fascinating but neglected topic in Uzbekistan. There are almost no Uzbek-language sources. The educational process consists of three interconnected components: curriculum (what to teach), methodology (how to teach), and assessment (did we achieve the goal). All three must work in harmony, otherwise the system deteriorates. Philosophy asks ‘why?’ — why do we teach children, what kind of people should they become?”
Hamid Sodiq emphasized the social role of educational philosophy: “The fundamental task of education is to prevent generational conflict. The older generation has experience, the younger generation has energy. Education acts as a bridge connecting them. In the modern paradigm, this balance is broken: a teacher may know less than a student — for example, a teacher’s IELTS score is 6, while a student’s is 7. The younger generation no longer recognizes the older one, leading to a crisis.”
Ziroatxon Komilova shared practical insights: “Any reforms ultimately depend on the relationship between teacher and student. I propose a triangle model: parent, child, teacher. If this triangle is properly established, we achieve our goals. Skills must be taught before knowledge. Each neighborhood has its own values, which puts pressure on teachers. 30 students mean 30 different triangles. Unfortunately, parents sometimes break this bond: ‘Your teacher just talks, go to a tutor.’ Free school education is devalued, while paid tutoring is prioritized.”
The podcast also discussed various philosophical approaches. Komil Jalilov noted: “In the Western tradition, philosophy of education is systematized. There are different schools: some argue education should maintain the status quo, others say it should transform society — for example, perennialism. Philosophy answers questions like: who is at the center — teacher or student — and how is knowledge acquired?”
The first episode highlighted the relevance of educational philosophy. Experts called for incorporating philosophical foundations into educational reforms. The full podcast is available on Gazeta’s YouTube channel.
Source: www.gazeta.uz