Sociological research and educational reform in Uzbekistan *

In the years since independence, the education system in Uzbekistan has undergone major changes. Structural reform and increased diversity of educational provision have made the context of policy more complex, at the very time when economic transition has profoundly changed the conditions of access to the labour market. There is thus a great need to produce relevant and usable social science information for the purposes of effective and enlightened policy, even as the methodological and practical difficulties of research increase. Youth employment and youth unemployment are of particular significance in this respect, especially in the context of economic transition and institutional change in the education sector. This article provides an overview of the background conditions and of sociological research on education in Uzbekistan and reports on a survey designed to assess the effect of changes over the last decade and future directions for policy. The research indicates that society in Uzbekistan has become more aware of the value of education in general, and of higher education in particular; indeed the surveys themselves make a direct contribution to heightened awareness. As a result of policy change among other factors, both the education system and the employment prospects of young people are improving. However, given the complexity of the issues and the rapidly changing background conditions, no assessment can be judged final. In addition, many areas remain under‐researched, including in particular the relation between initial education and training and life‐long learning. Further research is required, and better integration of research and education policy in Uzbekistan is achievable.