Since its independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has been trying to implement a row of economical and political reforms. Unfortunately, there has not been much success. I am sure that people from this former communist block will have a better understanding of what I am talking about. With economic struggles, which the people of Uzbekistan have witnessed for this last decade, came degradation in many social spheres, including education. Today, even primary education in some regions of Uzbekistan is becoming an unattainable luxury. Parents who usually earn at most 20 or 30 dollars a month cannot afford sending a child to school.
Usually the traditional Uzbek family has many children, ranging from 3 to 10. It is in the mentality of people that the more children they have the more supporters they will have when they get old, or that at least one of the children will succeed in life. So, despite economic frustration and desperation, some families still have many kids and demographic growth is intense. To send a kid to school would cost up to 10 monthly salaries (including winter clothes, shoes, stationery and textbooks, plus some allowance for food).
The situation is not that dire in urban centers, but in many rural places the above description is applicable. The situation in universities is not much better. Students are used to giving bribes when they do not want to study as they forced to do that by corrupted teachers. But we can also understand the teachers’ motivations as they also have to survive on a very low salary. It is very difficult to find a way out from this vicious circle. Many high school graduates cannot go to universities or colleges, as the tuition payment is way too much for them or their parents to afford…
This story is to be continued.
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