On July 28, a videoconference, chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, was held on expanding state support for children with disabilities, orphans and children left without parental care, as well as improving the system of social benefits.
As the press service of the head of state reported, there are several types of institutions in the country for the upbringing and support of children in need of social protection. So, 560 children are brought up in 13 Children’s Homes, 1,823 children – in 16 orphanages and 4 children’s towns, 21 thousand boys and girls – in 86 special boarding schools. In addition, 79 thousand children are being brought up under the care, guardianship and family patronage.
The meeting analyzed the state of affairs in matters of upbringing and education, providing housing and work for graduates of these institutions.
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports were instructed to assign universities and sports schools to each orphanage and children’s town. They organize scientific and sports circles, the teachers attracted to them will receive salary increments.
In addition, the orphanages, which are in serious condition, will be attached to the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers and regional khokimiyats.
Today, 17% of the pupils of orphanages are orphans, 83% are children abandoned by their parents or close relatives. It was noted that most of the children could be returned to their families if financial assistance was provided to them.
79,000 children are registered with the guardianship authorities, 35,000 of them are adopted. However, only one employee is assigned to work with them in each district and city department of public education.
It was noted that this is not enough, and it was decided to create departments for guardianship and patronage affairs with 4 staff units in each district and city khokimiyat.
Also, working groups will be formed from representatives of the National Guard, preschool education authorities, public education, mahallas and sectors. They will be entrusted with the task of visiting and studying the living conditions of children under guardianship and patronage on a weekly basis.
For children under guardianship and patronage, until they reach the age of 18, 1.2 million soums will be paid from the local budget, and children with disabilities – 2.5 million soums from the republican budget. For families raising adopted children with disabilities, the period of caring for them will be included in the work experience.
From September 1, the amount of the allowance for such families will be determined based on the number of children in the family. At the same time, the age of children subject to the allocation of benefits will be increased from 14 to 18 years, and the payment period – from 6 to 12 months.
In addition, children from families included in the “iron notebook”, as well as children who have lost their breadwinner, and children with disabilities will receive 500 thousand soums each to prepare for school.
Children under guardianship and patronage will also receive the right to use the additional quota for admission to universities established for graduates of orphanages.
The President gave instructions to further expand state support for graduates of orphanages. In particular, new housing will be allocated free of charge to orphans over 18 years of age in need of housing. For these purposes, this year, 120 billion soums will be allocated from the budget.
Another innovation is a 50% increase in the size of stipends for talented students who are orphans or have been deprived of parental care. Also, the term of payment of pensions to such students will be increased from the current 18 to 23 years. They will receive a one-time subsidy of 1.2 million soums annually to purchase the necessary literature.
It has been determined that instead of commissions for working with minors, the National Commission for Children will be formed, the territorial commissions will be headed by the regional khokims.
“Supporting children deprived of parental care, children with disabilities, raising them as active members of society require serious attention and practical action from all of us. No child should regret that he is an orphan or has a disability, they should not be left without the attention of the state and society. To train them in modern professions, to create all the conditions is not only a task, but also a sacred duty. If we approach the issue from this point of view, then in our work there will certainly be results,” Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
