Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Sept.2 / Trend, D.Azizov /
The school year in Uzbekistan began on Sept. 2, as the country celebrated Independence Day on Sept. 1.
This year, 485,000 children became first graders in the country.
According to tradition, the president's gifts - schoolbags and school appliances -- were presented to all the first graders.
According to the Public Education Ministry, 8,500 schools were repaired and built within the state national program of school education development in 2004-2010. This year another 317 schools, including 45 schools were built in new residential areas in rural areas.