CONGRATULATIONS FROM PRESIDENT SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV TO THE TEACHERS AND MENTORS OF UZBEKISTAN
Dear teachers and mentors!
I sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulate you—and all the country’s educators who have dedicated their lives to the world’s most important and noble profession: nurturing the younger generation—on Teachers’ and Mentors’ Day, celebrated on October 1st.
On this momentous day, we gain an even deeper appreciation of the fact that knowledge and enlightenment, upbringing and culture serve as inexhaustible sources of strength and potential for the New Uzbekistan, fueling our immense achievements and noble qualities. We bow with profound gratitude and respect to you—all the hardworking educators and mentors who instill these very values in our children and make a worthy contribution to the prosperity of our Homeland.
Dear compatriots!
In today’s teachers and mentors, we see a new breed of people—a new generation of educators who open the door to the wondrous world of knowledge for every child stepping across the threshold of a kindergarten or school. Devoted to their profession with all their hearts and working with complete dedication and love, they undoubtedly constitute the "gold standard" of our national pedagogy. It is in the work of such selfless teachers—in their professional mastery and the generosity of their spirits—that I see the solid foundation of the Third Renaissance.
School is like a garden of the future; thus, the teacher is the gardener who skillfully nurtures the shoots of hope—a source of kindness and care, a beacon of enlightenment. Therefore, we will never tire of honoring and valuing the labor of those working in this vital field.
Dear friends!
I believe I speak for our entire nation when I say that, among our most impressive achievements today, the results of reforms in the education sector stand out as the most significant. Yet, just ten years ago—amidst extremely challenging conditions for our society—parents were deeply concerned about the problems plaguing this sector, and the prestige of the teaching profession had declined. We worked diligently together to resolve many of these issues and overcome the obstacles hindering our progress. Today, the education sector is developing dynamically, and the teaching profession is becoming increasingly respected.
This is clearly evidenced by the following examples. Currently, 40,000 teachers across the country earn a salary of $1,000, while 1,500 earn over $2,000. In this year’s "Teacher of the Year" contest—held in a new format—208 winners from the district and city stages received, for the first time, cash awards totaling 616 million soums. Next year, similar incentive mechanisms will be introduced for kindergarten educators and vocational college instructors.
Over the past decade, the country has created kindergarten capacity for 1.8 million children and school capacity for 1.5 million students; more than 10,000 kindergartens and schools have been modernized—an unprecedented achievement in our history. Other crucial positive outcomes include the establishment of entirely new types of educational institutions—such as Presidential, specialized, and creative schools—as well as an increase in the number of higher education institutions from 77 to 205 and the achievement of a 45 percent enrollment rate in higher education.
The private sector is steadily developing within this field, fostering a healthy competitive environment. Most importantly, a new generation of educators is emerging—professionals capable of working in modern conditions and committed to continuously enhancing and demonstrating their knowledge and qualifications.
We have every right to be proud of these significant achievements in reforming the education sector. Naturally, all of this contributes to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the educational process. It is gratifying to note that in 2026, the country’s students won 228 medals at international Olympiads, including top honors at the international Chemistry and Informatics Olympiads held in Uzbekistan.
The nation deeply appreciates your immense contribution to the truly historic sporting success of our determined young men and women—the winners and medalists of the World Chess Olympiad and Paralympiad recently concluded in ancient Samarkand, who have brought glory to their homeland on the global stage.
This year, the number of students earning certificates in foreign languages and specific academic subjects reached 100,000, while approximately 5,000 school graduates achieved the highest possible scores on university entrance exams.
It is also noteworthy that, in the prestigious PISA rankings, 15-year-old students from Uzbekistan climbed 32 places in subject proficiency, securing the 48th position.
Furthermore, 185 educational programs at the republic's higher education institutions have received international accreditation, and 441 joint educational programs with foreign universities have been implemented—significant achievements in their own right.
Dear compatriots!
The coming decade will be an era of national progress for us; we have set even higher goals for ourselves.
You, my dear friends, undoubtedly understand well that schools, technical colleges, and universities form the solid foundation of national progress. In this endeavor, we rely primarily on you—our respected teachers and mentors. During a meeting with representatives of the education and upbringing system, we thoroughly discussed the pressing tasks facing us in this field and the ways to address them.
To encourage outstanding educators, a decision has been made to establish the Abdulla Avloni State Prize. I am convinced that this will inspire you to reach even greater heights.
Moving forward, we will adopt a new approach to fostering in our children a love for the Motherland, pride in their country, a sense of shared destiny, and respect for our history and culture—whether within the family, the *mahalla*, or in schools, technical colleges, and universities. In doing so, we must strictly adhere to the demands of these complex times. The call—"Educating the younger generation is a sacred duty and a task for all of society"—must resonate in the heart of each of us and become a guiding principle and the very essence of our daily lives.
I am confident that you—respected teachers and mentors—fully grasp the immense importance of shaping Uzbekistan’s youth into a forward-looking generation inspired by the noble ideal "For the Motherland, for the nation, and for the people!" I trust you will actively participate in these processes, drawing upon your vast knowledge, rich experience, talent, and professional mastery.
Once again, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations and wish you good health, happiness, and prosperity.
I wish you success in fulfilling your honorable and noble mission, dear teachers and mentors!
