Lessons 7 · 1 lessons · N. Jo‘rayev, A. Zamonov. History of Uzbekistan (the period of independence): textbook for Grade 11 pupils of secondary schools and for secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. G‘afur G‘ulom Publishing and Printing Creative House, Tashkent, 2018
7
Social policy and the stages of its implementation
Textbook: pp. 52–60
GoalExplain the social and demographic situation on the eve of independence and the directions of social protection policy (children, the elderly, mother and child health, housing).
New words
social protection: state support for people who need it · ijtimoiy himoyaallowance: a regular payment from the state to a family or person · nafaqalife expectancy: the average number of years a person is expected to live · o‘rtacha umr ko‘rishscreening: mass examination for early detection of a disease · skrining
Explanation
On the eve of independence Uzbekistan’s population was growing fast, but jobs, housing, schools, hospitals and the supply of drinking water and gas in villages had not kept pace. According to the textbook the population was 20.7 million in 1991 and 32.65 million at the start of 2018; according to official statistics it passed 37 million in 2025. In the period of freed prices the minimum wage and pensions were raised for social protection, and from 1994 an allowance system for families with children was introduced, with payment handled by mahalla citizens’ assemblies. Bodies such as the “Nuroniy” foundation worked for the elderly, disabled and lonely citizens. For the health of mothers and children a “Mother and Child Screening” system and rural medical points were created; according to official data life expectancy rose from 67 years in 1990 to 74 in 2015. In housing, a programme of model rural houses ran from 2009 and a preferential-credit programme from 2017; the 2023 Constitution describes Uzbekistan as a social state.
Worked examples
Example: a child allowance goes to a low-income family registered with the mahalla assembly — the help is delivered through the body closest to residents.
Example: screening examines a pregnant woman and a newborn early, finding disease in time and speeding up treatment.
Class activity
Protection map: groups tabulate how the state and the mahalla help three groups (families with children, the elderly, disabled people) and propose one further measure.
Practice
1
From 1994, which body was given the payment of allowances to families with children?
Mahalla citizens’ assemblies.
2
Which social problems existed on the eve of independence?
A shortage of jobs, housing, schools and hospitals, and poor supply of water and gas in villages.
3
Suppose the aid for a family with a child equals 40 percent of a hypothetical base amount of 800000 so‘m. How many so‘m is the aid?
320000
4
Why is rising life expectancy used as an indicator of the results of social policy?
Because it reflects the overall level of healthcare, nutrition, housing and safety conditions.