Safety concerns in Uzbekistan’s schools: One in seven students feels unsafe

Bullying and its academic impact

According to the study, bullying — particularly extortion — has a significant negative impact on students' academic performance, especially in subjects like mathematics, reading, and science. The findings are based on data from the 2022 PISA assessment, which showed Uzbekistan ranking 72nd in mathematics and 80th in reading and science out of 81 participating countries.

The survey also found that bullying-related incidents, including physical injuries (21%), insults (21%), and other forms of harassment, were prevalent in schools. Additionally, 20% of students reported feeling unsafe in hallways, cafeterias, or restrooms — well above the OECD average of 10.1%.

School safety concerns

Factors influencing the learning environment included truancy (26%), alcohol or drug use (26%), and unprepared teachers (25%). Bullying, including intimidation (19%) and injuries caused during altercations (16%), was a significant concern. Moreover, issues such as gangs on school grounds (9%) and students carrying weapons (6%) were also reported.

Students indicated feeling unsafe on the way to school (14%) and even in classrooms (14%), which is higher than the OECD and PISA averages. Urban students, male students, and those from migrant families were more likely to experience bullying.

Recommendations to improve school safety

The institute proposed implementing evidence-based anti-bullying programs, such as Finland’s KiVa initiative, which focuses on preventing bullying through peer involvement, and Italy’s No Trap! program, which targets bullying and cyberbullying through school-wide efforts. These programs aim to create a safer and more positive school environment.

The upcoming enforcement of the "Law on Protecting Children from All Forms of Violence" in Uzbekistan is expected to bolster efforts to address bullying and safeguard children from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Key statistics on bullying

• Physical bullying prevalence: Boys experience it 19.1% more than girls (15.4%).
• Impact on migrant families: Children from migrant families face bullying 30.6%, compared to 17.1% for non-migrant families.
• Urban vs. rural divide: Bullying is more common in urban areas (19.4%) than in rural settings (15.6%).