The key facts

  • Uzbekistan's Consul General in Istanbul held talks on building an Uzbek school with the Bakırköy administration and Turkey's Ministry of National Education
  • The school's foundation was laid in January 2026 with the participation of the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey
  • The Turkish side handed over the results of the project's expert review; exact construction and opening dates have not been announced

Talks in Istanbul on the first Uzbek school

Uzbekistan's Consul General in Istanbul Sherzod Abdunazarov met with the head of the administration of Istanbul's Bakırköy district, Ayşegül Ovalıoğlu, to discuss the project of the first Uzbek school in Turkey, reports the Dunyo news agency. The parties emphasized that the school will play an important role in raising the children of Uzbeks living in Turkey in a spirit of respect for national values and their native language.

Project progress and expert review

The school's foundation was laid in January 2026 with the participation of the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey. Since then, the necessary paperwork and design work have been underway. Following the meeting, the parties agreed to begin construction as soon as possible; the Bakırköy administration declared its readiness to provide the necessary assistance at the construction and organizational stages.

Work with Turkish agencies

The same day, the consul general held talks with representatives of Turkey's Ministry of National Education and the leadership of the provincial directorate of national education of Istanbul. The Turkish side presented the results of the project's expert review and data on identified shortcomings. Based on these recommendations, a working meeting was held with staff of the O‘zgüven company, which designed the school.

What remains unknown

The reports do not give exact dates for the start of construction or the opening of the school. According to the Dunyo agency, preparations for construction are being accelerated, but specific timelines remain uncertain.

Why it matters

The school concerns families of Uzbeks living in Istanbul and other parts of Turkey: it will allow their children to be educated while preserving their native language and national values, as both sides noted during the talks. In practical terms, this means that after the expert review's remarks are addressed and approval is obtained from Turkish educational agencies, construction could begin in the shortest possible time with the support of the Bakırköy administration.