The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), has signed a financing agreement with Uzbekistan to support a transformative education initiative aimed at boosting access, inclusion, and quality in the country’s preschool and school systems.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) Conference in Riyadh. IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser signed the agreement alongside Dr. Khilola Umarova, Uzbekistan’s Minister of Preschool and School Education. The event was also attended by GPE CEO Ms. Laura Frigenti.
Titled the Smart Education (SmartEd) Program, the project represents the largest IsDB investment in Uzbekistan’s education sector to date, with a total cost of $220.25mn. The funding includes $160.25mn from IsDB, a $40mn grant from GPE, and $20mn in co-financing from the government of Uzbekistan.
Fully aligned with Uzbekistan’s national education strategies and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG-4), the project aims to improve the quality, equity, and efficiency of education delivery, especially in underserved regions. It also supports Pillar 2 of the IsDB Strategic Realignment 2023–2025, focusing on Inclusive Human Capital Development.
Implementation of the five-year project is already underway, with initial focus areas including the construction of schools and finalizing implementation agreements with partners such as UNICEF and UNESCO.
Key infrastructure investments include the construction of 58 inclusive schools and 2,431 fully equipped classrooms across 11 regions and Tashkent. These facilities will feature modern laboratories, furniture, and digital infrastructure to ensure effective, future-ready learning environments.
Beyond infrastructure, the SmartEd Project supports comprehensive system reforms. These include the introduction of competency-based curricula, updated teaching and learning materials, enhanced teacher training, improved student assessments, and inclusive school evaluation mechanisms.
Once completed, the project is expected to benefit over 72,930 students, including girls and children with disabilities, and support the training of 36,115 educators and education staff.
In February, IsDB and Uzbekistan signed two financing agreements aimed at improving the country's education and road infrastructure. The agreements were concluded during the Al-Ula Conference for Emerging Market Economies, with Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov overseeing the ceremony.
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