Why was the regional education head dismissed?
Muzaffar Khamdamov, Head of the Samarkand Regional Department of Preschool and School Education, was relieved of his duties following the results of an internal investigation. The review uncovered cases of misuse of budget funds and abuse of official authority. The information was officially confirmed by the Anti-Corruption Agency.
What was the controversy surrounding the “Scarlet Sails” trip?
In June 2025, as part of a program aimed at rewarding outstanding graduates, a trip to St. Petersburg for the “Scarlet Sails” celebration was organized. However, instead of high-achieving students, relatives of department officials were included in the delegation, including the son and nephew of Muzaffar Khamdamov.
Which legal provisions were violated?
The audit revealed that responsible officials breached current legislation. Specifically, the requirements of the Laws “On Civil Service” and “On Conflict of Interest” were violated. In addition, the established code of ethics for public servants was not observed.
Who else faced disciplinary action?
Personnel decisions were not limited to the dismissal of the department head. Submissions were made to the профиль ministry recommending disciplinary measures against five additional employees. Among them were Deputy Head A.B., Leading Specialist of the Accounting and Public Procurement Department O.M., Chief Methodologist of the Teacher Qualification Assessment Department O.M., Head of the Student Knowledge Analysis Department G.S., and Methodologist I.H.
What was the outcome regarding budget funds?
Initially, 95 million soums were allocated from the local budget to finance the trip. After the issue became public and the investigation began, parents of three students returned 28 million soums to the state budget. As a result of the inquiry, a formal demand was made to remove those responsible for the violations from their positions.
Where was the issue reviewed?
The matter was thoroughly examined at a meeting of the Ministry’s Ethics Commission. Following the discussion, a set of measures was developed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Brief background on Muzaffar Khamdamov
Since 2019, Muzaffar Khamdamov had served as the khokim (district governor) of Pakhtachi district. In February 2025, he was appointed as Head of the Regional Department of Preschool and School Education.
About the “Scarlet Sails” celebration
The “Scarlet Sails” celebration was first held in 1968 in Leningrad at the initiative of graduates themselves. Its name and symbolism are inspired by Alexander Grin’s famous novella and traditionally represent hope, dreams, and a bright future.