News and Events
Historic exam success for first graduates of Uzbekistan Presidential Schools
In August 2021, the first students at Uzbekistan Presidential Schools achieved 68% A* to B in their Cambridge accredited A levels – just two years after the schools opened.
Uzbekistan is one of the youngest populations in Asia, with 35% of people under the age of 14. Since 2016, the education system has been at the forefront of the country’s renewal and transformation. There are ambitious plans to raise the quality of primary and secondary education and maintain universal coverage of schooling throughout the nation.
Presidential Schools sit at the heart of this education transformation. Managed by the Agency for the Presidential, Creative and Specialised Schools Development, Presidential Schools aim to discover and educate talented pupils from across the country to high international standards. The schools seek to develop students into critical thinkers and independent learners using a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) approach to learning and an IGCSE curriculum in English, alongside national subjects taught in the Uzbek language.
The first four Presidential School campuses opened in Tashkent, Nukus, Namangan and Khiva. These were planned, designed, built, staged and opened in just nine months in 2019. They are state-run, free boarding schools, open to all applicants in the region regardless of background. There are plans for a further ten schools, the same as the number of regions in the country.
Places at the Presidential Schools are highly competitive. In the first year alone, more than 28,000 pupils took the pre-selection maths test, 11,473 took the main test, and 576 were offered places at the schools. The Ministry of Public Education and Cambridge Admissions Testing worked together to ensure fair, valid and reliable methods were used to select students to enter the schools. Applicants are tested on their critical thinking, problem solving and English language skills. Tests are offered in three languages, English, Uzbek and Karakalpak, to increase accessibility. In addition, Cambridge Assessment International Education and Cambridge Partnership for Education have worked with Uzbek partners to provide the STEM part of the curriculum, consultancy on teacher training and school leadership, and training on the Cambridge Curriculum.
At the end of 2020, the Presidential Schools became accredited Cambridge schools, enabling them to enter the summer 2021 exam series. In August, Presidential School students received historic results, with 68% A* - B at A level. Of the 96 students graduated from the schools this year, 88 of them were offered places at international universities. Graduates of the schools also automatically receive grants for the first academic year to study at New Uzbekistan University.
"We all know that the investment into education is extremely valuable. In our context, it is even more important as it is the investment in the future of our country.” Khilola Umarova, Director of the Agency for the Presidential Educational Institutions.
“The collaboration between Cambridge and the Uzbekistan Presidential Schools is an equal partnership, with expertise from both the UK and Uzbekistan contributing strongly to this milestone year which has seen the schools’ first graduates and first International A-Level results. The students of the Uzbekistan Presidential Schools are strong students who I think will contribute greatly to their country’s future. We wish them every success.” Steve King, Senior Education Advisor, Cambridge Partnership for Education.
New horizons for the graduates
Barno Rustamova, graduate of the Presidential School in Khiva, achieved 3 A*s in Cambridge Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics A levels.
Barno shared: “I was able to create lasting memories and gain valuable experience at the Presidential School in Khiva. I believe that this is mainly because of the broad and well-balanced curriculum we had. I really enjoyed studying Cambridge International curriculum and preparing for Cambridge International AS & A level exams. I was lucky enough to achieve triple A*s from mathematics, biology and chemistry. Speaking of my future plans, I am going to apply for medicine to one of the leading universities in the UK in order to pursue my childhood dream, which is becoming a skilful doctor and saving lives of many people".
Classmate Kadirov Rustam achieved three A grades in his A levels and is now accepting a place at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, UK. After graduation, he plans to come back and develop the chemical industry of Uzbekistan.
