In a significant step to modernize its education system, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MoPSE) and UNICEF today hosted a high-level visit by the President of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), H.E. Dr. Muhammad Al-Jasser, to showcase a suite of transformative innovations for pre-school teachers.
The visit, part of a strategic partnership with the IsDB, featured a tour of the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Directors and Specialists of Preschool in Tashkent. This facility is at the heart of a multi-million-dollar investment initiative designed to strengthen Uzbekistan’s education sector from the ground up.
“These investments are a testament to Uzbekistan’s determination to modernize its education system,” stated Ms. Ezozkhon Karimova, Minister of Preschool and School Education. “By investing in teachers, we are investing in the future of every child.”
Multimillion-Dollar Investment in Early Childhood Education
The centerpiece of the collaboration is the “Enhancing Access to Quality Early Childhood Education Project,” supported by a $2.3 million investment from MoPSE and UNICEF. Key achievements include:
- Establishing eleven new Regional Training Centers across the country.
- Launching the nation’s first AI-powered multimedia studio in Tashkent to create advanced training materials.
- Developing new, comprehensive teacher training programmes for both new and existing educators.
President Al Jasser expressed his strong support for the initiative. “Witnessing this project firsthand is truly inspiring,” he said. “By investing in its youth, Uzbekistan is forging a path to lasting prosperity. The Islamic Development Bank is proud to be a partner on this vital journey.”
Ambitious Reforms and the Landmark $220 Million SmartED Project
Beyond early childhood education, the trilateral partnership is driving the SmartED Project—the largest single investment in Uzbekistan’s education sector to date, totaling $220 million. Under this umbrella, MoPSE and UNICEF have signed agreements worth $19.2 million to pilot inclusive education models, modernize the national curriculum, and enhance quality assurance mechanisms.
UNICEF Representative to Uzbekistan, Ms. Regina Castillo, emphasized the strategic importance of this support. “The investment… is both timely and strategic, aligning with the government’s goal to strengthen human capital,” she noted. “Focusing on curriculum reforms is foundational to creating a relevant and resilient educational system.”
Addressing a Global Learning Crisis
This comprehensive support arrives at a critical juncture, as evidence mounts on the transformative power of quality early education. Studies consistently show that children from disadvantaged backgrounds who receive high-quality early learning are far more likely to pursue higher education and earn better incomes.
For the Islamic Development Bank, these initiatives are a direct implementation of its strategy to develop human capital and support sustainable, resilient growth in its member countries, reaffirming its commitment to pioneering educational reforms in Uzbekistan and beyond.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essafi)
