New national strategy of the Republic of Uzbekistan focuses on significant reforms in all sectors of national economy. 

New National Development Programme of Public Education sector for 2022-2026 and recent Presidential initiatives prioritise professional development of teachers in public education and state that “the quality of a school cannot exceed the quality of its teachers”.

The British Council enjoys excellent partnership with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MPSE); engages MPSE in international education reform debate including the Education World Forum, IATEFL as well as research collaborations around vision for public education, English curriculum strategy as well as English language teaching in public schools in Uzbekistan. The British Council Future English programme created the Online Teacher Community and offers 4K English teachers annually cutting-edge professional development courses which are integrated into national professional development system.

In 2022-2023 to support large scale national reform in English language teaching and to shape a holistic view on Continuous Professional Development (CPD) the British Council in partnership with the MPSE initiated the mapping of the English teacher journey and developing recommendations around new approaches to CPD for English teachers in public schools in Uzbekistan. 

Based on the consultancy report the British Council and the MPSE will commission a pilot to develop CPD portfolios that work for English teachers in public schools and develop Good Practice Guidelines to summarise this experience and outline key next steps to strengthen the learning culture in public schools in Uzbekistan. 

Consultancy Terms of Reference

To work with the British Council in Uzbekistan and deliver the following outputs:

1. To develop the concept, methodology and action plan for the first stage of the CPD portfolio pilot:

- the concept aligned with the national education priorities, key education legislation and documents including Uzbekistan Partnership Compact for Education Reform, 2023 (Teacher Development section)

- a clear statement of CPD principles, based on the British Council best practice and the findings/recommendations in the aforementioned report

- clearly articulated methodology for the pilot, its stages and timeline agreed with major stakeholders

- MEL plan aligned with the British Council evaluation framework and KPIs and trackers to collate evidence to prove the concept. 

2. To pilot the first phase of the CPD portfolio in September- March 2023-24:

- the pilot is to be run in line with the concept, the framework and timeline agreed for the project

- CPD Champions and trainers have a shared understanding of CPD principles and what’s expected from the pilots

- CPD champions and trainers are involved and are part of any cascade and training programmes 

- the CPD Portfolio incorporates relevant CPD activities including peer-support and mentoring schemes  

- schools are seen as hubs of CPD activity 

- CPD awareness raising activities run for the pilot schools and wider public education networks.

3. To develop Good Practice Guidelines for CPD for English teachers in public schools in Uzbekistan:

- the Guidelines have the reference to national standards and referenced to modern teacher competencies and CPD frameworks (e.g.British Council framework and standards for Uzbekistan Presidential schools)

- the Guidelines summarise initial findings and case studies from the pilot and present the proposed CPD portfolio and CPD scenarios

- the Guidelines explain how CPD activity for English teachers is transferable to and connected with CPD for all subject teachers 

- the Guidelines outline key action (including interim and long-term measures) and cascade plan to mainstream CPD in the public education sector. 

4. Presentations of the main outcomes of the project and the outline of the approach for Uzbekistan stakeholders and the MPSE to nurture sustainable CPD culture in public education sector in Uzbekistan. 

These will be linked to policy discussions and meetings of the National English Reform Steering Group under the MPSE to be organised by the British Council and will/may engage wider UK public education development and CPD stakeholders.

The project will embed the British Council EDI and safeguarding principles and good practices. 

The TOR items are to be delivered in a hybrid mode. 

NB: Expected outcomes and activities above will form the first core stage of a three-year programme to nurture sustainable CPD culture in the public education sector in Uzbekistan. Funding permitting, interventions in the second and the third years will include a further cascade of the CPD portfolios to ensure effective use of the CPD Good Practice Guidelines, further integration of CPD in the national PRESETT curriculum, policy discussions engaging UK public education development stakeholders to align the outcomes of the initiative to wider reform undertaken under national initiatives including those under the Global Partnership for Education umbrella.

Consultancy Timeframe:  from August 24, 2023 to March 30, 2024.

The British Council Uzbekistan is looking for UK education agencies and universities to work on this project.   

We do not expect bids to exceed £ 15K GBP inclusive.

Eligibility

UK registered education agencies and institutions. 

The British Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all of its partners to share this commitment. 

The British Council is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and is keen to reflect the diversity of society at every level within the organisation. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria.

How to apply

Interested agencies and institutions are asked to contact Jamilya Gulyamova, Deputy Director, British Council, Uzbekistan at jamilya.gulyamova@britishcouncil.org and English projects manager Nilufar Begibaeva at nilufar.begibaeva@britishcouncil.org.