Students were forcibly used as punishment at a school in Zangiota

An illegal situation involving students was identified at one of the schools located in the Zangiata district of the Tashkent region. According to the Children’s Ombudsman, in the educational institution some students were involved in forced labor under the pretext of disciplinary punishment.

During inspections conducted on the basis of a citizen’s complaint, it was established that students were assigned tasks such as whitewashing trees, watering land, and clearing snow. These activities were carried out by the school administration and certain teachers as so-called “educational measures.”

The case was examined by the Tashkent Regional Department of the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment, and the violation was confirmed. As a result, an administrative fine was imposed on the school administration in accordance with Part 1 of Article 51 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

Official reports do not specify which school was involved or how many students were subjected to forced labor. Officials emphasize once again that children’s rights must be strictly protected in educational institutions.