Wednesday06 November 2024
toshkent24.com

In three years, 88% of schools in Uzbekistan have not connected to the digital admission system, raising concerns about increased corruption risks, according to experts.

Uzbekistan, Tashkent – According to AN Podrobno.uz, currently only 12% of schools in Uzbekistan are connected to a digital system that allows for remote applications for enrollment. The remaining 88% still operate under the traditional system, which increases the risk of corruption, reports a Podrobno.uz correspondent.
За три года 88% школ Узбекистана не подключились к цифровому приему, что повышает риски коррупции, по мнению экспертов.

In 2021, the "Anti-Corruption Laboratory" project, implemented by the Agency for Combating Corruption and the NGO "Regional Dialogue," identified the main causes of corruption in the enrollment of children into primary schools. To mitigate corruption risks, measures such as automating the admission system, increasing teachers' salaries, creating an open platform with school data, and promoting ethical governance were proposed.

Today, during a discussion held in Tashkent, the working group of the Anti-Corruption Agency presented a report on the implementation of the recommendations. Their execution was assessed in three categories: completed, partially completed, and not completed.

According to project manager Lyudmila Stayshunayte, approximately 40% of the recommendations, including improving working conditions for teachers and reducing class sizes, have been recognized as implemented.

However, the issue of fully digitizing the admissions process remains unresolved: parents are still required to submit their child's documents in person at schools, which creates opportunities for corruption.

"Schools have internet access, but there is still a lack of funds for organizing digital solutions and equipment," Stayshunayte told Podrobno.uz.

The distribution of funds continues to be one of the pressing issues. Respondents indicated that funding is often allocated to the same schools, while others lack resources even for basic needs.

"Government agencies must disclose funding data for each educational institution so that the public can monitor the use of funds," the expert added.

Measures such as increasing teachers' salaries, providing benefits for future teachers' college admissions, and launching a hotline for reporting corruption in schools have been partially implemented. However, data on calls to the hotline has yet to be disclosed, making it difficult to assess its effectiveness.