Why is this important
The World Bank’s decision strengthens support for Uzbekistan’s education system amid rapidly growing student numbers. Attracting substantial funding will make educational loans more accessible, especially for girls and students from low-income families. Additionally, the program aims to eliminate imbalances between personnel training and labor market needs, which is critically important for the country’s economic development.
What happened
- The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank approved the provision of a loan to Uzbekistan for the development of education.
- The program provides for expanding equal access to student funding in higher, technical, and vocational education systems.
- It is planned to increase the transparency of decision-making, modernize management processes, and simplify the criteria for issuing loans.
- It is planned to expand access to higher and vocational education for women and low-income students.
- The Ministry of Economy and Finance intends to introduce a system of lending with payments linked to income.
Numbers and facts
- The funding amounted to $250 million and was directed towards the implementation of the EduImkon program.
- By the end of 2028, it is planned to provide access to educational loans for 600 thousand young people.
- About 80% of the allocated funds are intended for students from low-income families and girls.
- The World Bank reported a significant increase in higher education enrollment and the burden on the existing student lending system.
- The shortcomings of the current system were noted — the lack of consideration for labor market needs and the shortage of loans for STEM and IT fields.
- The low level of women’s participation in STEM was highlighted: their share is one-third compared to the total share of female students (55%).
- The EduImkon program includes the launch of the Ministry of Economic Development’s unified online platform for processing applications for educational loans.
- EduImkon plans to attract $30 million in private investment to expand lending opportunities.
Context
- The existing lending system through local banks is not sufficiently adapted to the current conditions and does not fully reflect the demands of the labor market.
- The shortage of personnel in STEM, IT, and engineering specialties is considered a key limitation for economic modernization.
- International organizations, including the World Bank, consistently support educational reforms in Uzbekistan aimed at improving the quality of specialist training.
