PROJECT GOAL:

Establishment of expert laboratories to assess corruption and integrity violation risks in various fields on a national scale, involving the general public in research in the field of school education to identify vulnerable links

PARTNERS:
The project is partnered by the Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan and 
International Nongovernmental Organization ‘Regional Dialogue’ (Slovenia)
 

IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD: 

DECEMBER 2020 – DECEMBER 2022

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES:

development of a methodology for conducting anti-corruption survey;

Collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data on the chosen topic;

Preparation of a comprehensive report on the corruption/integrity violation risks assessment, and development of recommendations to decrease the identified risks

Submitting the recommendations to the decision-making bodies, and to the National Anti-Corruption Council

Involvement of the public and volunteers in corruption risks monitoring;

Ensuring the continuous operation of laboratories as a platform for conducting similar research in other socially-important areas

WHAT IS DONE?

STAGE-1 ‘Assessment of Corruption Risk Factors in Admission to Primary School’ (2021)

Coverage – 114 schools in 14 regions of Uzbekistan, including: 
28 cities
31 district centers
31 rural settlements

Target audience: 
3,243 parents of first graders
1,563 primary school teachers 
114 school principals
4,920 respondents in total

Outcomes:
-    The findings of the survey were presented to the public and discussed with the representatives of the Ministry of Public Education, Anti-corruption Agency, international organizations, anticorruption experts, General Prosecutor’s Office, journalists, representatives of civil society. The public discussion was covered 24 times in media outlets
-    Expert recommendations were submitted to decision-makers, and the National Anti-Corruption Council
-    The results of the study and recommendations were announced by the President at a videoconference for high level executives of the education sector
-    The results of the study were used for the development of the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy 2022-2026

STAGE-2 ‘Assessment of integrity violation risk factors in establishment and operation of preschool education institutions based on public-private partnership’ (2022)

-    A methodology of conducting a survey was developed

Coverage: 7 regions of Uzbekistan:
24 cities, towns, and districts 

5 target audiences engaged in PPP-process: 
- representatives of district preschool education departments
- local municipalities
- banks
- private entrepreneurs
- parents
- 373 respondents in total

Outcomes:

-    A round table on the efficiency of public-private-partnership in preschool education was held with the participation of the key players engaged in the public-private partnership in preschool education, international PPP and anti-corruption experts. 
- The survey was held in 7 regions of the republic, the qualitative and quantitative data was collected.
- The data collected  was analyzed and summarized in the final report, with expert recommendations.
- Expert recommendations where submitted to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, the Ministry of Finance, regional departments of preschool education, district and city khokimiyats, banks, the Anti-Corruption Agency, as well as the National Anti-Corruption Council under the Senate of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

STAGE-3 ‘Assessing Factors of Integrity and Corruption Risks in Student Grading in Higher Education’ (2023)

-    A methodology of conducting a survey was developed

- Interviews and focus group discussions have been conducted nationwide

- Data collected is being analyzed

Coverage: 14 regions of Uzbekistan

7 target audiences engaged: 
- vice rectors of higher education institutions
- faculty deans
- heads of the academic department of universities
- heads of Educational Quality Monitoring Departments
- heads of compliance control departments
- university professors and teachers
- university students

STAGE-4 ‘Assessing Factors of Integrity and Corruption Risks in Obstetrics’ (2023)

-    A methodology of conducting a survey was developed

- Interviews and focus group discussions have been conducted nationwide

- Data collected is being analyzed

Coverage: 7 regions of Uzbekistan

9 target audiences engaged: 
- chief doctors of maternity hospitals
- obstetricians and gynecologists
- regional health representatives
- nurses and midwives
- anesthesiologists
- neonatologists
- therapists
- relatives of women of childbirth period
- women in childbirth period