Master Techniques from Japan to the World 1

Spreading Japanese-style Quality Education by Utilizing an E-learning System
—A user-friendly system for public and private education in Uzbekistan—

Students in Uzbekistan using the e-learning system (Photo: Digital Knowledge)

Teachers in Uzbekistan intently receiving teaching method training (Photo: Digital Knowledge)

Uzbekistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, has been promoting education, human resources development, and ICT for fostering industrial development, as the enthusiasm among its people for education grows. However, there have been major setbacks due to a shortage of teachers in public schools, challenges associated with teachers’ competency, and lack of teaching materials and private educational services.

Under these circumstances, Digital Knowledge Co., Ltd., an e-learning systems developer and operator in Tokyo, implemented “Uzbekistan: SDGs Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector for Learning Management System (LMS) Application to Improve Regional School Teachers’ Qualification and Eliminate Educational Disparity” through JICA’s SDGs Business Supporting Surveys scheme in order to offer and promote the use of Japan’s quality educational contents across Uzbekistan.

This project has introduced the e-learning education system of Digital Knowledge Co., Ltd. to the ICT center, Ministry of Public Education, for enhancement of both public and private education. Specifically, in the public education sector, the company provided online educational programs of leading Japanese educational companies customized for Uzbekistan, such as teaching method programs for school teachers and math materials for elementary and junior high school students. As for private education, it opened after-school classes for elementary and junior high school students, which incorporate the company’s educational system, at public school buildings. The programs for teachers in particular have impressed Uzbek teachers who had never participated in any specific training on improving students’ understanding and academic performance. Comments were heard like, “I didn’t know there is such a way of teaching.”

Mr. SAITO Yosuke of Digital Knowledge Co., Ltd. explained as follows: “The after-school classes that we started provide Japanese-style one-on-one tutoring, electronic abacus lessons, and other services. We initially planned to offer about two classes, but we ended up adding more classes in a hurry as word of mouth got around and applications flooded in. Although our original intention in applying for the scheme was to see if Japanese-style education business would be feasible overseas, we rediscovered the potential of Uzbekistan as a country with great possibilities where people are so enthusiastic about education and the necessary infrastructure is being developed.”

“I can feel the great love that the people at Digital Knowledge have for Uzbekistan,” said Mr. Kubota, a project formulation advisor in charge of this project at the JICA Uzbekistan Office. He continued as follows: “Normally, it is very difficult for a private company to persuade the Government of Uzbekistan and move a project forward. But Digital Knowledge is speedily advancing this project, based on the firm trust with the Ministry of Public Education. This owes to not only Uzbekistan’s high expectations for the services of the company but also the fact that its enthusiasm has been relayed to the Government. It has also helped that the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Education (at the time) has studied at a Japanese graduate school under JICA’s Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS)* and has tremendous confidence in Japanese education.”

When schools across the country closed in response to COVID-19 in March 2020, the Ministry of Public Education requested the cooperation of the company directly. “The company expanded its original plan to provide free online learning programs, and this was highly appreciated by the Government of Uzbekistan,” recalled Ms. Ozawa, who was in charge of this project at the Private Sector Partnership and Finance Department of JICA’s headquarters.

Built on the trust between a Japanese company and the Government of Uzbekistan, Japan’s quality education and ICT are contributing to the development of Uzbekistan, while responding to the desire of its children to learn.

*See “(4) Partnership with Universities and Educational Institutions” for more information on JDS.