The shortage of school seats in Tashkent is becoming an increasingly pressing problem. In the 2025–2026 academic year, the deficit reached 141,000 places. Over the next five years, the number of students in the capital is expected to grow by another 71,000, or 14 percent. Without action, the shortage could reach 212,000 places by the 2030–2031 academic year.

To address this, 48,000 new student places are planned by 2030 from the republican budget, and 78,000 from local budgets. Once all 126,000 places are created, the load on schools is expected to fall from the current 1.4 to 1.2.

New schools

Designs have been prepared for 24 new schools for the 2026–2027 academic year, with a total area of 64.6 thousand square meters and capacity for 38,000 students. In addition, 17 new features will be added to the existing standard school designs, including extra study areas, libraries, halls for sports and cultural events, and comfortable rooms for teachers.

The new projects also include ramps and elevators, inclusive education rooms, and medical rooms. Motion and water sensors could cut electricity use by up to 20 percent and water use by up to 10 percent. The plans also aim to save 50 percent of land and triple the size of sports fields.

Private education centers will also begin working with public schools in the capital. This will allow students to prepare for university entrance and learn new languages right at their school.

Kindergartens

The number of children aged 3 to 7 in the capital is 253,000. Although preschool coverage has reached 79.2 percent, the shortage of kindergarten places still stands at about 65,000. By 2030, 8,000 places will be created from the republican budget and 32,000 from local budgets, raising coverage to 92 percent.

Designs have been prepared for 28 new kindergartens for the 2026–2027 academic year, with a total area of 32 thousand square meters and capacity for 16,000 children. The projects include sensory and speech therapy rooms, psychological and pedagogical support spaces, a medical unit, and video surveillance systems. Air purifiers and solar panels are also planned.

What will change?

If the plan is fully implemented, parents will find it easier to secure a place for their child. However, it will be important to monitor how quickly and how well these projects are carried out.

Source: Gazeta.uz