102 Schools in Uzbekistan Join New Professional Development Program for English Teachers

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in partnership with the British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has invited principals and English teachers from 102 schools to participate in a continuous professional development (CPD) program.

These schools have been selected to implement an approach that motivates educators to independently enhance their professional skills and transform their schools into centers for learning and experience-sharing.

“The ‘School Champions’ project will make a significant contribution to developing the CPD system and the capacity of all English teachers,” said Abduvali Ismailov, Rector of the A. Avloni National Institute of Pedagogical Mastery.

The program will involve over 230 participants, including English teachers and school principals. From September 12–13 and 15–16, they will learn how schools can serve as effective CPD centers for all educators within their own and neighboring schools.

Selected school champions will develop skills in planning and organizing CPD activities and support their colleagues in professional growth. Principals will gain a better understanding of the benefits of CPD for the entire school. Upon returning to their institutions, teams of teachers and principals will implement new teaching approaches and create a nurturing educational environment.

In 2024, the British Council supported school champions in 116 Uzbek schools, where more than 900 educators participated in over 500 activities aligned with their professional needs and the needs of their students. The CPD practitioner community continues to grow actively.

“The program aligns with the Ministry’s vision, which prioritizes teacher professional growth by providing a meaningful development pathway that considers the individual needs of educators and students,” noted Jamila Gulyamova, Deputy Director of the British Council in Uzbekistan.

The initiative is supported by the British Council and funded by the UK Government’s International Development Program. The training is part of the Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) program, aimed at supporting national reforms in English language teaching and developing a more inclusive education system in Central Asian countries.

The program’s primary academic partner is the Norwich Institute of Language Education (United Kingdom).