Education and schools in Uzbekistan have undergone continuous changes since 1991, when the country became independent after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Expats have often criticised the local curriculum for being too focused on rote learning, but there has been a movement towards subjects with a practical orientation.
There are a growing number of international schools in Uzbekistan, most of which are located in the capital city, Tashkent. International schools are usually the best option for expat families, as they tend to reduce the disruption of a move, especially if children can attend a school that teaches their home curriculum in their first language.
Public schools in Uzbekistan
When it comes to public schooling in Uzbekistan, the most immediate obstacle for expat families is the language barrier. Of the country’s close to 11,000 public schools, the vast majority (almost 9,000) teach in Uzbek. The second most common language of instruction is Russian, which is used as the main language at fewer than 1,000 public schools across Uzbekistan.
Public schooling in Uzbekistan is recommended only for expats whose children already have proficiency in Uzbek or are young enough to pick it up easily. Furthermore, local schools can be difficult to adjust to culturally. For this reason, only families staying in Uzbekistan for the long term tend to consider this an option.
Public education in Uzbekistan is free and compulsory for 11 years, although the government has announced plans to incorporate a preparatory year for six-year-olds. Primary school begins at age seven and continues for four years. The next stage is secondary school, typically from ages 11 to 15. Thereafter, students can choose between general and technical-vocational schools.
Uzbekistan’s 14 Presidential Schools are specialised educational institutions for gifted students aged 11 to 18. These schools offer STEAM subjects alongside the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level curriculum, and are free – including boarding – for students who pass the competitive admissions process.
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Private and international schools in Uzbekistan
Before 2017, there were few, if any, private schools in Uzbekistan, and there aren’t a ton of international schools in the country either. As part of education reform, the government has since begun to offer incentives to those establishing private schools. This has resulted in many new private schools opening across the country. Private schools choose their own language of instruction.
There are a growing number of international schools in Tashkent geared towards expat families, with the British curriculum – including Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels – the most widely taught. With international schools, teaching is in the language of the school’s country of origin, which is often English.
International school fees are usually steep, so if you’re relocating to Uzbekistan for work, it’s worthwhile trying to negotiate the inclusion of education expenses in your relocation package.
Read more about the Best International Schools in Uzbekistan.
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Special educational needs in Uzbekistan
Until recently, support for learners with special educational needs in Uzbekistan was well behind global standards, but it’s catching up. The country began its move towards an inclusive education model in 2020, and by the 2024 academic year, over 500 schools across the country had adopted inclusive education practices.
The government plans for a majority of schools to operate on an inclusive basis. Selected secondary schools now offer remedial classes for students with special needs, and graduates of specialised educational institutions can join certain vocational schools as part of a specialised group.
Private and international schools are likely to have more resources devoted to special-needs education, but the extent of the support available can vary widely from school to school. It’s best to consult schools directly to find out more about any special needs policies or programmes.
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Tutors in Uzbekistan
Although tutors in Uzbekistan aren’t widely used, there are a few online tutoring companies that have listings for Uzbek tutors. For expat families, tutors can be particularly helpful in supporting language acquisition and maintaining proficiency in the family’s mother tongue, which can be important if the child’s schooling is in a non-native language.
In the run-up to major exams, expat kids attending international schools following curricula like the International Baccalaureate and those of the UK and the US can benefit from online tutoring. Not being limited to the relatively small tutoring market in Uzbekistan makes it easier to find a good fit.