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Today, during a meeting, the President of Uzbekistan announced a truly significant decision: in the upcoming academic year, 3,500 young people from low-income families will be able to enroll in higher education institutions on a grant basis. Moreover, university rectors have promised to provide education for a total of 4,000 students from such families.
The idea is undoubtedly excellent and socially important. But the main question arises: will local officials be able to implement it honestly? Or will we once again face the situation where a noble intention turns into yet another source of corruption?
The Reality: Who Will Decide Who Needs It?
The process of selecting young people from low-income families must be transparent. But who will guarantee the fairness of this selection? It’s evident that, under the guise of social status, many will attempt to get on the list of “those in need.” It’s no secret that mahalla assistants to hokims, responsible for poverty reduction, have often been at the center of corruption scandals.
They are already known for fake reports, manipulations with targeted aid, and data falsification. Numerous criminal cases have been initiated against them, yet the problem persists.
Grants as a New Market?
Without strict control, there is a high risk that the allocation of grants will become another “corruption feeding trough.” Those who truly need the support might end up being excluded, while the “grant places” will go to those who are willing to pay for them.
What Needs to Be Done?
- Transparent selection mechanism. An independent system for reviewing applications should be implemented to eliminate the influence of local officials.
- Open information. Lists of grant recipients should be published in the public domain.
- Public oversight. Citizens should have the ability to file complaints about violations in the grant allocation process.
- Strict measures against violators. Any attempts at corruption must be immediately suppressed with subsequent criminal proceedings.
Conclusion
The President’s decision is a significant step forward for social support of youth. However, its success entirely depends on the honesty and professionalism of officials. If it once again turns into a “side income” for local authorities, the very idea will be discredited, and public trust in social initiatives will be undermined.
Now, it’s up to the responsible parties: can they prove that they work for the people, and not for their own benefit?
The article may contain inaccuracies as it is translated by AI. For more details, please refer to the Russian version of the article. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can send corrections via the Telegram bot: Uzvaibik_bot.
