Education in Uzbekistan

Education in Uzbekistan is generally managed by the Ministry of Kindergartens and Schools and Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovations with some other agencies and bodies responsible in certain areas as prescribed by the President of Uzbekistan.

The public compulsory school system is divided into three broad stages: primary (from Grade 1 to 5), secondary (from Grade 5 to 9) and upper or vocational (from Grade 10 to 11 or in lyceum, colleges, trade schools). Students are typically enrolled at the age of 7 and commonly end their secondary education at the age of 18, therefrom they either start their career or matriculate at a university.

Upper or vocational education is provided through a network of schools:

• Professionalno-Tehnicheskoye Uchilishe (PTU or Professional Technical School). Graduates receive a Junior Specialist Diploma equal to a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education.
• Tehnikum (Technical College). Graduates receive a Junior Specialist Diploma equal to a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education.
• Lytsei (Lyceum) or various training courses offered by higher education institutions or industry. Graduates receive a Junior Specialist Diploma or Diploma of Academic Lyceum equal to a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education.

In 2017, education reforms in Uzbekistan changed from 12-year program to 11 years after a previous reform disappointed and troubled parents and children. Eleven years of primary and secondary education are obligatory, starting at age seven. The rate of attendance in those grades is high, although the figure is significantly lower in rural areas than in urban centers. Preschool registration has decreased significantly since 1991.^[1]