Uzbekistan may introduce a procedure allowing internal affairs personnel to work within non-governmental educational institutions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs submitted a draft resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers for public discussion on October 19. The proposed regulation would allow private educational institutions to establish positions for internal affairs personnel using their own financial resources.
Under the draft resolution, non-governmental higher education institutions could introduce positions for a "senior prevention inspector" and a "senior inspector for women's affairs." Meanwhile, secondary and secondary specialized educational institutions could establish positions for a "senior inspector-psychologist" and an "inspector-psychologist" responsible for issues concerning minors. These positions would be funded by the educational institutions themselves.
According to the proposal, internal affairs personnel assigned to educational institutions would be responsible for preventing offenses, violence, bullying, drug abuse and the influence of extremist ideologies among students. They would also conduct awareness-raising activities aimed at improving students' legal literacy, encouraging respect for the law and developing a sense of civic responsibility.
The draft resolution also provides for individual preventive and psychological work with students identified as "problematic" or belonging to "at-risk" groups. This work would be carried out in cooperation with educational institution administrations, psychologists, educators, parents and relevant government bodies. The draft resolution will remain open for public discussion until November 3.
Previously, deputies of the Legislative Chamber adopted the draft law "On the Status of Prevention Inspectors of Internal Affairs Bodies" in its first reading. The proposed legislation includes provisions requiring prevention inspectors to report to the public and local communities on a quarterly basis. It also prohibits assigning prevention inspectors tasks unrelated to their official duties.