Mirziyoyev explains Turdimov’s appointment as education minister

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 12 October explained the appointment of Erkinjon Turdimov to head the newly established Ministry of Education and Science.

During a meeting in New Tashkent, the president said universities should pay greater attention to the quality of specialist training, Daryo reported.

“The numbers have increased, but quality remains low. From now on, every university must clearly define whom it is training and what specialists it is preparing. There was a reason I brought into the Ministry of Education a person who had served as governor of four regions,” Mirziyoyev said.

On 9 October, Turdimov was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Science. Following his appointment, he left the post of governor of Syrdarya Region, which he had held since January 2025.

Turdimov previously headed Navoi Region from 2008 to 2016, Surkhandarya Region from December 2016, and Samarkand Region from July 2018 until the end of November 2024.

The Ministry of Education and Science was established on 3 October by merging the Ministry of Preschool and School Education with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

The reform aims to ensure continuity between different levels of education and scientific activity, introduce a unified management system and increase public accountability.

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Science coordinates the implementation of tasks in education, science and healthcare.

Oversight of the organisation and implementation of the relevant tasks has been assigned to Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the Presidential Administration.