Ministry of Public Education proposes reducing number of hours in some subjects by 10%

The Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan (MPE) is reviewing the basic curriculum of secondary schools and developing proposals for its reduction by 10% starting from the 2019-2020academic year, Kun.uz correspondent reports.

“Recently, a document on the basic curriculum of secondary schools for the academic year 2019–2020 was published on the Internet-media and social networks. It envisages a reduction in the number of hours for some subjects. On the basis of this document, some authors of books and teachers published articles about why it is impossible to reduce the number of hours of these or other subjects. The Ministry of Public Education of Uzbekistan declares that the basic curriculum of secondary schools for the academic year 2019-2020 has not yet been approved,” the MPE noted.

The ministry is currently working on many initiatives to improve the school system. Some of the projects were initiated by experts, others by government agencies those manage financing and other areas.

One of such initiatives was approved by the resolution of the President of Uzbekistan “On measures to promote the system of spiritual-moral and physically harmonious education of youth, its studying and improving” from August 14, 2018.

According to the paragraph 18 of this decree, the MPE, the Ministry of Finance and the State Inspectorate for Supervision of Education Quality should review the basic curriculum of secondary schools and develop proposals for reducing it by 10% starting from the academic year 2019–2020, redirecting the remaining hours to other more demanded subjects. Proposals must be submitted before August 1, 2019.

Now the relevant departments are working on the preparation of proposals in this direction. During this process, all subjects will certainly be analyzed for their compliance with modern requirements, which will also lead to update the textbooks.

“The main goal of curriculum revision is to improve the quality of education through the provision of knowledge and skills that will help graduates find their way in life and become successful people. The decision on the curriculum should be made taking into account interests of the country and children and not from the point of view of the interests of certain people,” the Ministry noted.

The MPE also urged all interested parties not to make premature conclusions, but rather to contribute to the creation of a qualitative curriculum and textbooks through participation in discussions of these and other issues in the field of public education.

During the discussions, specialists will prepare several scenarios for reforming the curriculum on the basis of accepted state educational standards. Draft final scenarios will be published for wide discussion.