Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on Nov. 10 titled “On Measures to Implement National Programs Aimed at Elevating Human Dignity,” setting education targets that include full coverage of six-year-old children with one-year mandatory school preparation by 2027. The decree identifies the main directions of a national program to turn knowledge and skills into the main capital of development. Its annex sets a goal of reaching 100% coverage in 2027 and ensuring that at least 10 higher education institutions enter the global top 1,000 in prestigious international rankings by 2030.
Key Takeaways: The decree was signed on Nov. 10. By 2027, all six-year-old children are to be covered by one-year mandatory school preparation. By 2030, at least 10 Uzbek higher education institutions are expected to rank in the global top 1,000.
The targets align with the existing Law on Education, which makes one-year preparation for general secondary education compulsory for children aged 6 to 7. This preparation is carried out within the preschool education system, including kindergartens. The measure is intended to strengthen continuity between preschool and general secondary education, improve children’s readiness for school and help equalize access across regions. The decree also frames education as part of broader national programs focused on human dignity and human capital development.
According to the decree’s annex, the 100% coverage goal for six-year-olds is to be achieved in 2027. The higher education target is set for 2030, when at least 10 universities should be included in the top 1,000 of prestigious international rankings. The document describes turning knowledge and skills into the main capital of development as a central objective of the national program.
For the education system, the goals imply closer attention to preschool preparation, kindergarten capacity, teacher training and assessment of school readiness. In higher education, the focus is on international competitiveness, research visibility and the quality of academic programs. The targets are measurable: full coverage by 2027 and at least 10 universities in the global top 1,000 by 2030.
The next stage is expected to involve monitoring implementation across regions, including coverage of preparatory groups, the quality of teaching staff and the progress of universities in international rankings. The 2027 and 2030 deadlines will serve as key checkpoints for assessing the practical results of the national program.
Source: kun.uz