Sector Assistance Program Evaluation on Education in Uzbekistan

4. Sustainability 
90. BETDP. 
The first project of ADB in Uzbekistan’s education sector, BETDP focused on 
the heart of the teaching–learning process, i.e., the textbooks and the curriculum. The 
government, which was committed to modernizing education in Uzbekistan but had no 
experience working with international funding institutions like ADB, went along with the 
proposals of the project and made a success of it. MOPE, particularly toward the second half of 
project implementation, demonstrated a strong commitment to the project purpose and 
objectives, as well as leadership in implementation (PCR, para. 51). The TRS, as mentioned 
above, stole the show and emerged as a successful intervention. The TRS under BETDP was 
found to have a solid basis for sustainable provision of affordable textbooks to students in basic 
education, as reflected in the high collection of rental fees. While about 15% of students are 
unable to pay the rental fees, they are financed by the government from its budget, amounting 
to approximately 0.3% of its expenditure in the education sector, with no significant budgetary 
impact (PCR, para. 60). The project’s achievements are rated as most likely sustainable.
91. SSEP. 
In the absence of much information about the education project, and of a proper 
M&E system, it is difficult to assess sustainability. However, given the scope of the reforms that 
have yet to be done in the SSE system as a whole in order to achieve the objectives of SSEP, it 
appears less likely that the limited gains of the project could be sustained without additional 
resources and policy innovations in the sector. As the PCR notes, higher allocations for salaries 
at the expense of other expenditure categories may undermine the quality of SSE. Further, the 
cost-recovery system to replace the equipment was not taken into account, which makes it hard 
to guarantee sustainability of investments (PCR, para. 56). A detailed expenditure analysis of 
SSE is required to assess the situation and take a position on the intended policy reforms. 
Without such an analysis, it is hard to say whether compulsory SSE, as now structured, is a 
financially viable option for Uzbekistan. Resolving this aspect itself will require a focused and 
detailed analysis. The SSEP is rated less likely sustainable. 
92.