Uzbekistan partners with Cambridge and UNICEF for total school curriculum reform

The reform is part of the large-scale SmartEd educational project, financed by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Arab Coordination Group, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Preschool and School Education in collaboration with UNICEF and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Gazeta.uz reported.

The reform seeks to align Uzbekistan’s education system with high-performing global standards while ensuring students gain skills necessary for the future. According to Dilshoda Norboeva, Acting Director of the Republican Education Center, the new curricula will place a heavy emphasis on:

• Competency-based learning: Transitioning from rote memorization to practical application.
• Modern literacy: Developing technological, digital, and social-emotional intelligence.
• Environmental responsibility: Integrating climate change and ecological education.
• Inclusivity: Ensuring gender equality and accessibility for children with disabilities.

Regina Castillo, Head of the UNICEF Office in Uzbekistan, emphasized that the reform incorporates critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration – skills increasingly essential for success in a rapidly changing world.

While Uzbekistan has worked with foreign consultants previously, UNICEF notes that this is the first time every subject group is supported by highly qualified international experts working continuously over a full year. This deep level of cooperation covers all subjects and grade levels simultaneously.

The overhaul is grounded in Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 157, which establishes strict criteria for educational standards. Steve King, Head of Education Reform for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas at Cambridge’s Partnership for Education, noted that the goal is to create an "equitable, reliable, and internationally recognized" system that is fully achievable for the nation.

This week, experts from Cambridge began a series of workshops for subject heads in Tashkent. These sessions focus on ensuring coherence across different subjects and aligning the National Curriculum and assessment models with international standards such as A-level.

Once fully implemented, the project is expected to impact 8.8 million children in preschools and schools annually. The program is specifically designed to be inclusive, reaching students regardless of their ethnic background, socio-economic status, or physical abilities.