Tashkent kindergarten abuse scandal: Cover-up attempt causes public outcry, owner linked to government official

Following the incident involving the private kindergarten Tanzilandia in Tashkent, the Senate sent a request to the Minister of Preschool and School Education for an explanation, while the ministry stated that the situation is being investigated. However, parents fear that the case is being covered up.

"They are hiding all the [camera recordings], refusing to show them, and covering up the case," said one of the women who contacted the editorial team.

Children beaten at a private kindergarten

Recently, reports emerged that children at Tanzilandia, a private kindergarten in Tashkent’s Mirzo Ulugbek district, were subjected to systematic physical abuse. The discovery was not made through the kindergarten’s surveillance cameras but rather via an audio recording device hidden inside a child's toy.

According to sources, a parent became suspicious after noticing behavioral changes in their child. To understand what was happening, they placed a recording device in the child’s toy before sending them to kindergarten. The eight-hour-long recording captured caregivers verbally abusing children with offensive language and physically punishing them multiple times.

Following this discovery, parents demanded access to the kindergarten’s security footage but were initially denied. However, after involving the Internal Affairs Department (IAD), they were able to view the recordings. The footage revealed that caregivers were beating children in the gym, dressing rooms, and activity areas—while maintaining a calm and polite demeanor in spaces monitored by cameras accessible to parents.

Claims of a cover-up

One of the mothers who reached out to the editorial team claims that the owners of Tanzilandia are relatives of a high-ranking government official, which is why complaints are being suppressed.

"The head of Tanzilandia is someone’s wife or daughter, I don’t know. They are hiding all the [camera recordings], refusing to show them, and covering up the case. In the videos, you can even see a child being thrown aside while they laugh at children who are only 1.5 to 2 years old and can barely speak," she said in an audio message sent to Kun.uz.

According to publicly available records, the kindergarten is managed by Dilrabo Davlatboy kizi Tursunova. She also holds a 7% share in the private educational institution Yuksalish Construction. The remaining shares belong to Muhiba Karshieva (27%) and Maksuda Kudbieva (66%).

Will action be taken?

The Children's Ombudsman previously issued an official statement to Kun.uz regarding the situation. According to the statement, on February 12, seven parents filed complaints about abusive treatment by caregivers at the private preschool and requested legal action.

"Currently, the Mirzo Ulugbek District IAD is conducting a pre-investigation inquiry. A forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine whether the children sustained physical injuries," the statement read.

It was also reported that the kindergarten administration has terminated the employment contracts of three caregivers. The pre-investigation process is ongoing, and further updates are expected.

Additionally, on February 27, the Senate sent a letter to the Minister of Preschool and School Education, requesting clarification on the causes of violence against children in kindergartens and the measures being taken to prevent such incidents. The Ministry of Preschool and School Education told Kun.uz that an investigation is underway.