Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 July, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video conference on expanding state support for children with disabilities, orphans and children left without parental care, as well as improving the system of social benefits.
In our country, there are several types of institutions for the upbringing and support of children in need of social protection. So, 560 children are brought up in 13 Children’s Homes, 1,823 children - in 16 Mehribonlik homes and 4 children’s towns, 21 thousand boys and girls - in 86 special boarding schools. In addition, 79 thousand children are being brought up under guardianship, guardianship and family patronage.
The meeting analyzed the state of affairs in matters of upbringing and education, providing housing and work for graduates of these institutions.
It was noted that over the past ten years, 51 percent were provided with housing, 64 percent of graduates of Mehribonlik houses and children’s townships were employed. Poor quality of education in these institutions is indicated.
The head of state emphasized the need to bring up children in Mehribonlik homes in conditions close to family conditions, as educated, highly spiritual and patriotic individuals.
For this purpose, it is planned to introduce a new system. Thus, the National Guard of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be responsible for raising children in 16 Mehribonlik homes and 4 children’s townships. For this, the position of the corresponding deputy, commander will be introduced and a separate department will be created.
New methods will be developed for raising children in Mehribonlik homes, teaching them information technologies, foreign languages, professions and entrepreneurship, organizing sports. Boys and girls over 14 years old will be trained in the most demanded professions.
The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports were instructed to assign universities and sports schools to each Mehribonlik house and children’s town. They organize scientific and sports circles, the teachers attracted to them will receive salary increments.
In addition, the houses of Mehribonlik, which are in serious condition, will be assigned to the Presidential Administration, the Cabinet of Ministers and regional khokimiyats.
Today, 17 percent of the inmates of Mehribonlik homes are orphans, 83 percent are children abandoned by their parents or close relatives. It was noted that most of the children could be returned to their families if financial assistance was provided to them.
79 thousand children are registered with the guardianship and guardianship authorities, 35 thousand of them are adopted. However, only one employee is assigned to work with them in each district and city department of public education.
It was noted that this is not enough, and it was decided to create in each district and city khokimiyats departments for guardianship, guardianship and patronage with 4 staff units in each.
Also, working groups will be formed from representatives of the National Guard, preschool education authorities, public education, makhallas and sectors. They will be entrusted with the task of visiting and studying the living conditions of children under guardianship, guardianship and patronage on a weekly basis.
For children under guardianship, guardianship and patronage, until they reach the age of 18, 1.2 million soums will be paid from the local budget, and children with disabilities - 2.5 million soums from the republican budget. For families raising adopted children with disabilities, the period of caring for them will be included in the work experience.
From 1 September, the amount of the allowance for such families will be determined based on the number of children in the family. At the same time, the age of children subject to the allocation of benefits will be increased from 14 to 18 years, and the payment period - from 6 to 12 months.
In addition, children from families included in the "iron notebook", as well as children who have lost their breadwinner, and children with disabilities will receive 500 thousand soums each to prepare for school.
Children under guardianship, guardianship and patronage will also receive the right to use the additional quota for admission to universities established for graduates of Mehribonlik homes.
The President gave instructions to further expand state support for graduates of Mehribonlik homes.
In particular, new housing will be allocated free of charge to orphans over 18 years of age in need of housing. For these purposes, this year, 120 billion soums will be allocated from the budget.
Another innovation is a 50 percent increase in the size of scholarships for talented students who are orphans or have lost parental care. Also, the term of payment of pensions to such students will be increased from the current 18 to 23 years. They will receive a one-time subsidy of 1.2 million soums annually for the purchase of the necessary literature.
The meeting also discussed issues of support and treatment of children with disabilities. The head of state instructed to allocate additional funds to provide such children with the necessary medical equipment and wheelchairs, perform surgical operations, install implants and prostheses.
It also indicated the possibility of improving conditions in special schools by assigning large enterprises and clusters to them.
It has been determined that instead of commissions for working with minors, the National Commission for Children will be formed, the territorial commissions will be headed by the khokims of the regions.
- Supporting children deprived of parental care, children with disabilities, raising them as active members of society require serious attention and practical action from all of us. No child should regret that he is an orphan or has a disability, should not be left without the attention of the state and society. To train them in modern professions, to create all the conditions is not only a task, but also a sacred duty. If we approach the issue from this point of view, then our work will certainly have results. Every good deed done to our children will be rewarded tenfold, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
At the meeting, responsible persons, teachers and youth expressed their views on the issues discussed.
