A video reportedly showing papers being burned by staff of the district department of preschool and school education in Khatirchi district, Navoiy region, has drawn public attention in Uzbekistan. The footage was circulated by Uzdiplomat.uz, which said the video allegedly depicts the deputy head of the district education department and an HR inspector. The incident emerged while control and audit checks are under way in local schools, raising questions about the origin of the materials, who ordered their destruction and whether the burning is connected to the inspections.
Key Takeaways: The video circulated by Uzdiplomat.uz allegedly shows education department staff burning documents in Khatirchi district, with the deputy department head and HR inspector purportedly visible. It is not yet known which papers were destroyed, who authorized the action or whether it is linked to ongoing school inspections. Under Article 227 of Uzbekistan’s Criminal Code, destroying, damaging or concealing strict-reporting documents for mercenary or other base motives can carry criminal liability.
The episode comes amid wider changes in Uzbekistan’s education system. According to the report, on October 3, 2026, a unified Ministry of Education and Science was created on the basis of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and was headed by Erkinjon Turdimov. Such administrative changes typically require a review of document flows, inspection procedures and lines of responsibility, making local document-handling disputes particularly sensitive for public trust.
Under Uzbek law, even documents whose retention period has expired cannot be destroyed arbitrarily; a special procedure involving relevant acts must be followed. Uzdiplomat.uz highlighted this legal restriction, noting that it remains unclear what kind of papers were burned and whether the required procedures were observed. With inspections continuing, another open question is whether the destruction of materials could affect the outcome of the audits or hinder the work of controllers.
In recent days, the new minister, Erkinjon Turdimov, has spoken about the need to check the performance of heads of educational institutions. Some rectors reportedly received strict warnings, and a special working group was created to study their activities. Turdimov also criticized the practice of summoning school directors to meetings at hokimiyats, saying heads of educational institutions may be called to such meetings only with the minister’s consent. The measures signal a push to tighten discipline and oversight in the sector.
The Ministry of Education and Science and other supervisory bodies have not yet issued an official position on the Khatirchi district incident. Next steps are expected to include verifying the video, identifying those involved, reviewing the list of destroyed documents and assessing compliance with legal procedures. The public is awaiting a transparent outcome and clear conclusions on any possible official responsibility.
Source: podrobno.uz