Hovas governor faces punishment for misuse of teachers in schools

Reports have emerged on social media claiming that teachers at school no. 9 in Hovas district, Syrdarya region, were forced into labor. The regional administration has issued an official response regarding the incident.

According to the statement, the matter was thoroughly discussed in the presence of the acting governor of the region, Erkinjon Turdimov. The discussion involved relevant officials from the district administration, responsible organizations, and school representatives.

Participants included Hovas district governor Ulugbek Yoldoshev, deputy district governor Aziz Rasulov, acting head of the district pre-school and school education department R. Elchiev, school no. 9 director D. Qodirberdiev, and the school’s mathematics teacher F. Murtozoqulov, all of whom provided their comments and explanations on the situation.

During the discussion, the school director explained that the initiative to carry out landscaping and beautification work at the educational institution was undertaken to improve the school’s environment quickly and was conducted with the teachers’ consent in the form of a voluntary community effort. He also noted that he had been recently appointed as the school head, that a fully healthy working environment had not yet been established, cases of favoritism were being observed, and the complainant had raised objections regarding the distribution of lessons.

As a result of the discussion, it was decided that R. Elchiev, acting head of the district pre-school and school education department, would face disciplinary action, and the suitability of school no. 9 director D. Qodirberdiev for his current position would be reviewed.

In addition, the district governor, Ulugbek Yoldoshev, received a formal reprimand for failing to establish adequate oversight of educational institutions and for not effectively conducting the necessary advocacy and awareness activities.

It is worth noting that earlier, Erkinjon Turdimov, speaking at the IV National Teachers’ Forum, stated that even teachers who unknowingly engaged in forced labor should be held accountable and face dismissal.