Uzbek officials, students to get rewards for reading
Cash prizes, book corners and reading clubs aim to boost literacy and culture
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (MNTV) — Uzbekistan will provide cash incentives to government officials, school pupils, and university students who read the most books under a new initiative launched by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Fergana News reported. The program was outlined in a decree signed Jan. 15 by the president.
Under the decree, all ministries and government agencies must compile lists of recommended readings for employees by March 1, including at least three books by foreign authors translated into Uzbek each year, complete with expert commentary and glossaries. “Book corners” will be set up in all government institutions by April 1, along with monthly reading hours for staff.
An internal ranking system will track book consumption among officials, with top readers eligible for a bonus equal to one month’s salary, funded through a Special Financial Incentive Fund.
School pupils and university students in the top 100 most active readers will receive a cash prize of 10.3 million soums (about $856).
The decree also creates a Reading Culture Development Fund under the Youth Affairs Agency to support young authors, children’s literature, competitions, and stipends of up to 20.6 million soums (roughly $1,712) for talented writers for one year. The fund will cover up to 50% of local publishing costs and up to 80% of copyright fees for translating major foreign works.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, the national program “The Book as a Source of Enlightenment” will launch, with government advertising promoting reading classified as social information. Public transport, including buses, trains and airplanes, will provide QR code access to the Mutolaa online reading platform.
Schools will establish reading clubs titled “Jadidlar izidan” (“In the Footsteps of the Jadids”), requiring students to read at least 20 books annually. The most active participants will receive quarterly incentives from the Ministry of Preschool and School Education.
The decree aims to raise Uzbekistan’s average annual reading level to 10 books per person between 2026 and 2030.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
