A two-day working meeting dedicated to improving the professional standard for general secondary school teachers was held at the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center for Education Development as part of the National Teacher Framework project.

The meeting brought together specialists from the Center, representatives of UNESCO, UNICEF, the Agency for Specialized Educational Institutions, the Institute for the Development of the National Qualifications System under the National Agency for Education Quality Assurance, the Abdulla Avloniy National Institute of Pedagogical Excellence, as well as school principals and practicing teachers.

During the meeting, participants discussed modern requirements for teachers’ professional practice, the development of their knowledge and skills, the assessment of professional competencies, and the adaptation of international experience to Uzbekistan’s national education system. In particular, professional standards and requirements for teachers in England and Australia, as well as the Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards developed by UNESCO and Education International, were examined. Participants analyzed aspects of these frameworks that could be applied within Uzbekistan’s education system.

Special attention was given to the 11 core teaching competencies proposed by the technical working group, their content and practical relevance, and the alignment of the professional standard with the requirements of the National Qualifications System and the Sectoral Qualifications Framework.

On the second day, discussions with school principals and practicing teachers focused on the relevance of the proposed professional standard to everyday teaching practice, effective classroom instruction, assessment of student learning outcomes, and the identification of stages of teachers’ professional development.

Participants also considered how the professional standard should address inclusive education, competency-based approaches, the creation of a safe learning environment, professional ethics, and cooperation with parents. Particular attention was paid to clarifying the criteria for teachers’ professional progression across the established qualification categories: Specialist, Second Category, First Category, and Highest Category.

As emphasized during the meeting, the main objective of improving the professional standard for teachers is to establish clear and understandable professional requirements, support teachers’ continuous professional development, strengthen the link between teacher attestation and professional development systems, and ultimately improve the quality of general secondary education.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed to consolidate the proposals and recommendations put forward by participants and continue efforts to further refine the draft professional standard for teachers.