The “Malysh” (“Mittivoy”) Project

The “Malysh” (“Mittivoy”) project is a Russian-Uzbek cooperation program aimed at improving the quality of preschool education in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The project was initiated on November 29, 2020, with the signing of a joint Roadmap between the Ministry of Enlightenment of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Preschool Education of Uzbekistan. The project is implemented by the Herzen State Pedagogical University on the Russian side and by the Ministry of Preschool Education on the Uzbek side.

The project began with a large-scale study that identified the characteristics of the preschool education system, including the types of educational organizations, the needs of private kindergartens, and the professional competence of educators. Based on the results, a detailed analytical report was compiled to guide the quality and accessibility of preschool education.

Over three years, numerous professional development programs were implemented, including the unique “Turnkey Teaching Team” program. Participants gained competencies in team-building for preschool development models and corporate communication. Under this program, 56 preschool educators from Uzbekistan were trained.

A series of teaching aids was developed, including “One, Two, Three, Speak Russian!”, as well as manuals on “Methodological Activity in the Preschool System” and “The Methodological Cabinet in Preschool Organizations of Uzbekistan.” Educational materials were also created according to the “Ilk Qadam” state curriculum.

The “Malysh” (“Mittivoy”) project in figures:

More than 1,500 educators and 100 methodologists of the preschool system in Uzbekistan have been trained in advanced qualification courses.