During the December 13 meeting on social protection and poverty reduction, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev introduced 28 new initiatives to further strengthen social protection, building on the 34 important reforms implemented this year. With a clear goal to lift 1.2 mn people out of poverty by next year, the President emphasized the importance of improving access to education, healthcare, vocational training, and living conditions for vulnerable populations.
New Initiatives for Poverty Reduction
A key part of the strategy involves expanding opportunities for children, particularly those from poor families and those with disabilities. President Mirziyoyev highlighted the opening of “Early Development Centers” in Tayloq and Kosansoy, which have already provided 4,200 children with access to kindergarten education. He instructed regional governors to replicate this initiative across their districts.
In a move aimed at making education more accessible, the Minister of Preschool and School Education, H. Umarova, was tasked with launching family kindergartens in 1,000 high-poverty neighborhoods by 2025. As part of this initiative, 15% of family kindergarten spots will be allocated to children from low-income families, and fees will be partially reimbursed to alleviate financial burdens.
Focus on Skills Development and Higher Education
In line with these efforts, President Mirziyoyev announced plans to further integrate foreign language and IT skills into the curriculum for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additionally, vocational training clubs will be established across the country, with plans to train 118,000 young people from poor families by March 1. The government will fund up to 80% of the costs for these clubs.
Higher education access was also a major focus. By 2025, the President set a target of admitting 3,500 young people from low-income families into universities on a grant basis, with rectors of higher education institutions expected to support the education of an additional 4,000 students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
A Vision for Inclusive Development
The new initiatives reflect President Mirziyoyev’s broader vision for an inclusive social protection system that empowers the most vulnerable populations in Uzbekistan. With a strong emphasis on education and skills development, the goal is not only to alleviate poverty but also to equip future generations with the tools they need to succeed in a modern economy.
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