Students at Islamic School Receive Certificates of Honor

In Tashkent, Ambassador Jon Purnell awarded Certificates of Honor to 22 grade school students from two schools located in Tashkent’s Old City, as well as from the Ko’kaldosh Madrassah-Islamic School. The award ceremony took place at the Chorsu Language Learning Center in Tashkent. These 6th- to 9th-grade students were honored for their participation in the first-ever ACCESS Microscholarships Program, a project initiated in 2004 by the U.S. Department of State to promote English language learning among young people from families who cannot afford to pay for tutoring. Students will attend English classes at the Language Center for 2 years and participate in an English language summer camp. Funding provided by the embassy for this program will pay for teachers, books, audio and video equipment, and transportation to English classes. Ko’kaldosh Madrassah is an initial education center for future Muslim leaders. Along with religious subjects, the Madrassah teaches math, chemistry, physics, and other natural subjects in its curricula. After completing studies at the Madrassah, graduates have the opportunity to attend the Tashkent Islamic Institute to continue their religious education and eventually become Imams.

Below, students pose with Ambassador Jon Purnell after receiving Department-funded Microscholarship Awards to study English in the Ko’kaldosh Madrassah.  Photo courtesy U.S. Embassy Tashkent,