Fundamental changes in the education system of Uzbekistan were started in 1997 by the new law "On Education" and National Program on Personnel Training. Importance of reforming the education system should be considered in the demographic aspect of Uzbekistan: according to UNICEF monitoring report for the year 2003 - 11 million out of 26 million population - is under the age of 17 years, accounting for 42% of the total population.
National Program for Personnel Training (NPPT) is a long term program to improve the education and development of continuing education in the country.
The program is designed for three phases of implementation:
The first phase (1997-2001) laid the legal, personnel, scientific-methodological and financial basis for reforming and developing the educational system. Implementation of the program became an integral part of all public, academic, industrial and governmental structures, beginning a new system of continuous education, including new types of specialized secondary educational institutions (professional colleges and academic lyceums) and two-tier system of higher education.
The second phase (2001-2005) targeted on full implementation NPPT based on the results of monitoring the previous phase; a particular importance at this phase is given to improve the quality of education and training of teachers.
The third phase (since 2005) - improvement and further development of the program. Increased international cooperation is seen as a mechanism for achieving the objectives of the National Program.
