Implementing Agency

Uzbekistan National Commission for UNESCO
54, Buyuk Ipak Yuli Street, Tashkent 700077
Phone:  998-712-670542
Fax:  998-712-670538
E-mail:  unesco@natcom.org.uz
Contact person:  Mr. Alisher Ikramov, Secretary-General

Literacy and NFE situation

Uzbekistan has the high rate of literacy.  It has already achieved 98.7% of adult literacy rate in 1990, and it increased to 99.2% in 2000, with 98.8% for female and 99.6% for male literacy rate.  Since the country gained independence in 1991, the education system in Uzbekistan has been changed and the role of NFE in society has become crucial.  Different NGOs in education fields has been created with initial support of the government, and have made contribution to development of NFE, particularly in rural areas.  There is no NFE organization under the Ministry of Republic Education, but the Department of Additional Education is in charge of organizing activities for primary and secondary school students after school hours and during weekend.  There are also special programmes for implementing community- and family-based children’s education at the pre-school level, and both formal and non-formal centres for adults training. 

CLC Initiatives and Features

Uzbekistan launched the CLC project with the support from UNESCO APPEAL since 1998.  CLC was a new initiative in the country.  As Uzbekistan has a highly literate population, the CLC activities had placed priority on training of teachers/parents in pre-school education and on improving the access to information utilizing the Internet.  Seven CLCs have been established in agricultural and sub-urban areas.   Almost all CLCs are based in the school buildings of UNESCO ASP (Associated School Programmes) schools.  The Republication Education Centre, a government research and textbook production organization, has been coordinating the CLC project.  It also provides technical support to the CLCs through the CLC Information Resource Centre located in the Republican Education Centre, in cooperation with the Ustoz (Teacher) Foundation, a national NGO, and other organizations.

Main Activities

All CLCs are equipped with ICT facilities such as computers, TV, audio-video equipment.  Major activities of CLCs are provision of ECCE and heath care for 4-6 years old children, training in basic computer skills, foreign languages, and income generating activities.  CLCs also have function to provide information and library services, advisory and counseling services, and to organize recreational activities such as sports and cultural events.

Strengths and Weaknesses (Achievements and Challenges)

The CLCs are managed by the well-structured planning and management system.  Every CLC holds the planning meeting every half year, and different community members from various specialization are invited to participated in the decision making process.  The challenges faced by CLCs are: cooperation with local government, training of community leaders on effective utilization of CLCs, lack of local resources and staff training on local resource management, community mobilization to educational programmes, and networking between CLCs.

Future Plans

Following activities have been proposed as the future CLC plans:
• Establishment of  new CLCs
• Provision of Internet connection for all CLCs
• Systematic provision of training materials and experts
• Development of different training materials for learners in various levels
• Continuous development of personnel training/capacity building
• Broadening involvement of community members
• Involvement of disadvantaged population into vocational training
• Development of new life skills programmes
• Strengthening the networking with private companies, donor agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and between CLCs