International conference on multidisciplinary science

THE CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL COMPETENCIES OF GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION LEADERS IN UZBEKISTAN

Ziyoviddinova Pokiza Sadriddinovna

Master’s student at Navoi state university

Keywords: Uzbekistan, educational leadership

---

Abstract

This article examines the current condition and future prospects of developing social competencies among general secondary education leaders in Uzbekistan. As global educational paradigms shift toward more human-centered and collaborative approaches, the role of school leadership is expanding beyond administrative functions to include strong social, emotional, and communicative competencies. The study analyzes the key components of social competence—such as empathy, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and cultural sensitivity—and their relevance in school leadership. Through a combination of theoretical review and empirical observation, the research highlights the strengths and gaps in the existing leadership preparation programs in Uzbekistan. The findings show that while many school principals and administrators possess technical and organizational skills, there is a notable lack of structured training in social competencies, which limits their effectiveness in managing pedagogical teams, engaging with parents, and fostering a positive school climate. The article also presents comparative insights from international models where social-emotional learning and leadership are integrated into educational policy and practice. Based on these insights, several recommendations are proposed for Uzbekistan’s education system, including the development of targeted professional development programs, mentorship systems, and context-specific competency frameworks. Ultimately, the paper argues that strengthening social competencies among school leaders is essential for ensuring sustainable educational quality, teacher motivation, and inclusive school environments.

---

References

1. Fullan, M. (2007). Leading in a culture of change. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

2. Hargreaves, A., & Fullan, M. (2012). Professional capital: Transforming teaching in every school. New York: Teachers College Press.

3. Leithwood, K., & Jantzi, D. (2005). Transformational leadership. In B. Davies (Ed.), The essentials of school leadership (pp. 31–43). London: SAGE.

4. OECD. (2020). School leadership for learning: Insights from TALIS 2018. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/19cf08df-en

5. UNESCO. (2021). Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education. Paris: UNESCO Publishing.

6. Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

7. Avolio, B. J., & Kahai, S. S. (2020). Adding the "E" to E-Leadership: How it may impact your leadership. Organizational Dynamics, 49(1), 100715.

8. Darling-Hammond, L., & Cook-Harvey, C. M. (2018). Educating the whole child: Improving school climate to support student success. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org

9. Heikka, J., & Husu, J. (2020). Distributed leadership in action: A social practice perspective. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 48(1), 108–126.

10. Tondeur, J., Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Baran, E. (2020). A comprehensive analysis of teacher digital competence: A review of frameworks and approaches. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 58(5), 887–913.

11. World Bank. (2018). Successful school leadership: International practices and recommendations. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.

12. European Commission. (2020). Key competences for lifelong learning. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

13. Ministry of Public Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan. (2023). Strategy for the development of public education until 2030. Tashkent.

14. Khudoyberdiyev, A., & Shamsiyeva, D. (2021). Challenges of school leadership in Uzbekistan: Toward a socially competent model. Uzbek Journal of Pedagogical Innovation, 2(3), 45–52.

15. Ziyodova, G. M. (2022). The role of emotional intelligence in educational leadership. International Journal of Educational Research and Development, 4(1), 24–30.