One of the books I have read so far, and one that I enjoyed the most, is The Country Inside My Grandfather’s Stomach, written by the beloved children’s author Qobiljon Shermatov.
The main characters of the story are Bahodir, Baxtiyor, Mahmud Bobo, Oftob Payvasta, Nursalom Hoji, Shabadaliyev Sharof, the ruler Sfan, Abdurahmon Bobo, Qalandar Toga, and others.
The story begins when Bahodir and his closest friend Baxtiyor return home thirsty after playing football and accidentally drink a shrinking potion created by Bahodir’s elder brother, Olim. As a result, they become smaller than a flea and find themselves inside their grandfather’s body—more precisely, in the country within their grandfather’s stomach.
This country is extraordinarily pure, beautiful, and radiant. Anyone who enters it cannot help but fall in love with it. Its people are honest, faithful, intelligent, fair, and truthful, and everyone strives to become a scholar. Instead of water, delicious juices flow through the rivers. As people begin to read, they grow younger, and light starts to shine from their homes.
Bahodir and Baxtiyor, who previously did not enjoy studying very much, witness many things in this land that do not exist in our world. They experience wonderful adventures and show great courage. For their bravery, they are awarded the “Golden Star” by the city governor, Oftob Payvasta. They come to love learning wholeheartedly, take a growth potion, return to the real world, and after many events, firmly decide to become scholars. They also wish to return once again to their grandfather’s country.
However, this time, by coincidence, they do not enter their grandfather’s country but instead find themselves inside Shabadaliyev Sharof, a greedy accountant who fears no injustice and has made his desires the master of his heart. The country inside him is completely different from Mahmud Bobo’s land. There is no sun, the people are extremely selfish and miserly, and everyone thinks only of themselves.
This land is ruled by the greedy ruler Sfan, who represents human desire and lust.
Determined to become scholars, the protagonists meet Nursalom Hoji and continue their journey of learning. They gain extensive experience, study diligently, and strive to lead the people out of ignorance toward goodness. During one research journey, Bahodir ends up in the land of the “People of Prayer.” Together with the faithful, radiant, and kind people of that land, they fight against the ruler Sfan and defeat him. After seven years, they finally return to their homes and achieve their goals and dreams.
Conclusion
What does this work offer today’s readers? This story encourages every reader—young or old—to think deeply. It teaches us to be pure-hearted like Mahmud Bobo and warns us never to allow “Ruler Sfan,” that is, our own selfish desires, to rule our hearts. The story reminds us to seek knowledge constantly, to stand among good people, and to do good deeds.
Dear reader, as the saying goes, “Seeing once is better than hearing a thousand times.” Therefore, read this book, understand it deeply, and draw your own valuable conclusions. And never grow tired of seeking knowledge.
Innovations in Education, Digital Transformation, and Pedagogical Technologies
ABSTRACT
In recent years, a large number of reforms have been implemented in our country, especially in the field of education. As a result of these reforms, modern teaching methods, digital transformation, and innovative pedagogical technologies have been introduced in all educational institutions, including vocational schools, general secondary and specialized secondary education institutions, as well as higher education institutions. Regardless of the type of education system, the state has created numerous favorable conditions for young people.
This article examines the essence, advantages, and disadvantages of the digital transformation process in education.
Keywords:
education system, innovation, digital transformation, innovative technologies, socio-pedagogical knowledge, educational innovations, educational process, effective organization of the learning process.
The education system plays a crucial role in the development of society. In the 21st century, digital technologies and innovations have brought education to a new level. Digital transformation refers to the introduction of digital technologies in all aspects of the education system and their effective application in the teaching and learning process. The impact of digital transformation on the education system leads to new forms of learning and teaching activities for both students and teachers.
Digital transformation is a process of fundamental reform of all sectors, including education, through the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Uzbekistan is also one of the rapidly developing countries in this direction, where the widespread implementation of innovative technologies in education has become a priority of the national development strategy. The Presidential Resolution No. PQ-118 dated February 28, 2022, specifically emphasizes the development of the digital economy and the extensive use of ICT in all sectors, particularly in education. This has created a legal and institutional foundation for improving the quality of education in Uzbekistan based on modern technologies.
In the field of education, digital transformation involves the implementation of modern ICT at all stages of the educational process and the integration of traditional teaching methods with innovative technologies. This transformation contributes to improving the quality of education and developing students’ independent thinking, creative approaches, and problem-solving skills.
Digital transformation primarily simplifies the learning process and makes it more convenient, interactive, and learner-centered. For example, Learning Management System (LMS) platforms are used to deliver educational materials, monitor assignments, and conduct assessments through automated systems. This not only saves teachers’ time but also enables analytical monitoring of students’ learning activities.
Let us consider the advantages and challenges of digital transformation.
Advantages:
Access to education anytime and anywhere.
Opportunities for individualized learning.
Effective assessment and analysis.
Diversity of educational resources.
Challenges:
Uneven development of internet infrastructure.
Low level of digital literacy among teachers.
Reduction of face-to-face communication among students.
High cost of digital technologies.
Digital transformation in education also expands opportunities for open educational resources, online courses, and distance learning. Regardless of geographical or social barriers, students gain access to high-quality educational resources from anywhere in the world. This contributes to the democratization and inclusiveness of education.
However, digital transformation also presents certain challenges. These include insufficient internet infrastructure in some regions, limited professional capacity in the use of digital technologies, and inadequate ICT training among teachers. In addition, excessive reliance on digital tools may lead to decreased student concentration and a lack of real interpersonal communication, which can have negative consequences.
Digital transformation not only improves the quality of education but also enhances the intellectual potential of society as a whole.
Educational innovations refer to a set of forms, methods, and technologies applied to solve existing problems in the education sector or learning process through new approaches, ensuring significantly more effective results. Educational innovations are also referred to as innovative education. The concept of innovative education was first introduced in 1979 at the Club of Rome. Educational innovations can be classified as follows:
According to the field of activity: innovations applied in the pedagogical process and in the management of the education system.
According to the nature of changes introduced: radical, modified, and combined innovations.
According to the scale of changes: sectoral, modular, and system-level innovations.
According to the source of origin: innovations created or adopted directly by a collective.
The key difference between innovation and ordinary novelty is that innovation must have a flexible mechanism that allows for management and control. When discussing innovative pedagogical technologies, it is essential to consider the concept of pedagogical technology. The term “pedagogical technology” entered scientific use in 1872 in connection with technological progress and originates from the Greek words techne (art, skill, craft) and logos (science), meaning “the science of skill.”
Pedagogical technology represents the strategy for implementing information technologies and is based on knowledge related to the functional system laws of the “educational environment – learner.” The structure of pedagogical technology includes a conceptual foundation, the content of the educational process, and the technological process. Each pedagogical technology is based on a specific scientific concept. Its scientific concept encompasses philosophical, psychological, socio-pedagogical, and didactic foundations aimed at achieving educational goals.
The content of the educational process consists of general and specific objectives and the content of learning materials. The technological process includes the organization of the learning process, the activities of the teacher and students, methods of managing the educational process, and learning diagnostics.
Pedagogical technology is a field of knowledge in which values such as freedom of thought, loyalty, humanism, and patriotism are cultivated in both teachers and students. In modernized education, contemporary lessons are essential to consistently and comprehensively develop students’ knowledge and potential.
At the same time, extensive efforts are being made in our country to apply pedagogical and information technologies in the educational process. The scientific and theoretical foundations of this issue, as well as the specific features of each pedagogical technology, have been developed, and sufficient practical experience has been accumulated. Foreign organizations also provide close support in implementing pedagogical and information technologies in education.
In G.K. Selevko’s textbook “Modern Educational Technologies,” various technologies used in the educational process are compiled, along with their scientific-theoretical and methodological foundations, classification, and mechanisms for practical application.
References
Karimov, I.A. High Spirituality Is an Invincible Force. Tashkent: Ma’naviyat, 2008, 176 p.
Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “Digital Uzbekistan – 2030” Strategy and Resolution No. PQ-4883 dated October 5, 2020, on its implementation.
Abdullayeva, M., Komilov, F. Information and Communication Technologies. Tashkent: Science and Technology, 2021, 200 p.
Anarbayeva, F.U., Abdullayeva, M.V. Digital Transformation of the Higher Education System in the Context of the Digital Economy. The Journal of Economics, Finance and Innovation, 2023.
Mental Arithmetic — A Compass Guiding Toward the Future
Choosing the right path in life is essential. Some people lose their way, while others find the right direction early. This difference often lies not in knowledge, but in the ability to think. At this very point, mental arithmetic serves not merely as an academic subject, but as a guiding compass.
Mental arithmetic is the gym of the brain. Just as the human body becomes weak without exercise, the brain also slows down without training. Traditional mathematics usually focuses on the final result, whereas mental arithmetic emphasizes the process. A child thinks about how a problem is solved, visualizes it, and uses both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously. This provides a great advantage not only in mathematics, but also in reading, writing, and everyday life.
Mental arithmetic is not an internal calculator — it is internal confidence. Many parents choose mental arithmetic for the purpose of fast calculation. However, its greatest achievement is increasing a child’s self-confidence. In today’s fast-paced world, knowledge alone is not enough. A person must adapt quickly, make decisions swiftly, and think independently. This subject is like a solid foundation laid for a child’s future. A child who practices mental arithmetic today goes to the board without fear. They do not think about the wrong answer, but about possibilities.
I, Lazokat Pirmatova, entered this field in 2023 by studying at the “IqroKids” Educational Center, and in the same year, I began offering courses myself. I started with only four students, gradually teaching more children, and today I teach mental arithmetic to over 100 students. My students regularly participate in national competitions and proudly win first, second, and third places.
My goal is to raise a generation that thinks. This is not just about giving children knowledge, but about teaching them how to think. In today’s fast and complex world, success does not come from memorized formulas, but from the ability to make independent decisions. In 2024, five of my students earned the opportunity to participate in the Dubai International Olympiad.
I want to see a generation shaped by education that develops personality and character. I did not choose mental arithmetic by chance. I have seen fear of mathematics in the eyes of many children. This fear does not come from numbers, but from inner doubt — the belief of “I can’t do it.” My mission is to free them from that inner insecurity.
In conclusion, my aim is to light a spark in children’s lives through numbers. This light illuminates their path, strengthens their confidence, and encourages them to step boldly into the future. Because true education does not begin with transferring knowledge, but with helping a person believe in themselves. For me, mental arithmetic is not just a field of education — it is a future built on confidence.
Lazokat Ortigaliyevna Pirmatova is a fourth-year student in the Preschool Education program at the Faculty of Pedagogy and Psychology of Kokand State University.
English poetic adaptation (song-style): I carry all my sorrow in my heart, I take my longing everywhere I go. When I hear your voice, my soul still shakes, Please don’t cry from missing me, my mom. If I hide my love deep down inside, If I fail to say how much I care, Please don’t say, “My child has me forgot,” Please don’t cry from longing, mom, my dear. If I spread my pain before your eyes, I know your heart could never bear it all. That is why I keep it locked inside, Please don’t cry for me at all, my mom. For me you gave up everything you had, Knowing this, my conscience won’t stay still. Far away, I carry all your pride, Please don’t think of me so much, my mom. Think of yourself, at least just once or two, Your whole life’s been “my child” night and day. I know I am the heartbeat in your chest, But please, just once, think of yourself… my mom.
Nigora Nurullayeva has actively participated in numerous competitions, contests, projects, and webinars to date. She is the proud recipient of multiple local and international certificates, reflecting her dedication, initiative, and commitment to continuous learning. I often write some poems and stories.
In this article, I would like to write about my mother — a simple yet deeply faithful, kind, compassionate, and gentle woman. Although my mother does not have a higher education, she is intelligent, talented, and wise. Despite having five daughters in our family, she never complained about giving birth to girls. She raised all of us with great care and devotion. Especially because we were girls, she always chose our winter and summer clothes with taste and dressed us neatly.
She had a strong desire to study, but due to ignorance and circumstances, she was unable to receive an education. I remember that after finishing the first grade and starting summer vacation, whenever I came back from playing, my mother made me memorize the multiplication table written on the first pages of the notebooks my father had bought for my sisters.
When I was nine years old, my father gave me a fairy tale book titled “If You Laugh, It’s a Flower; If You Cry, It’s a Pearl” as a birthday gift. From that moment on, my love for books began. Gradually, I started reading books from the school library. I especially enjoyed reading works by Said Ahmad, O‘tkir Hoshimov, Tohir Malik, Hudoyberdi To‘xtaboyev, and other writers.
I remember when women from our village asked my mother, “Weren’t you afraid to send your daughter to Russia when she entered the All-Union Students’ Camp in the seventh grade?” My mother confidently replied, “I trust my daughter.”
Raising a girl is a delicate responsibility. My mother educated us not only academically but also through physical labor. To provide for eight children, my father worked as a physics teacher and also cultivated two to three hectares of land. He worked tirelessly thinning cotton plants, hoeing, and picking cotton. The atlas dress my parents bought for me to wear at the camp was the most beautiful of all; even my Russian friends Asya, Zhanna, and Larisa admired it.
When I graduated from school, my parents created all the necessary conditions for me to enter a higher educational institution. Even so, my mother would wake up at dawn to feed silkworms with mulberry leaves and milk the cow, ensuring that we never faced financial hardship.
My mother possessed an innate artistic talent. She sang songs and played the frame drum. This trait passed on to me as well. Her support played a significant role in my study of folklore and oral literature. Eventually, I achieved the status of a teacher and became a teacher of Mother Tongue and Literature.
Until this competition was announced, I had never written an article about my mother. Now that I reflect on it, I realize that all my achievements are the result of my mother’s tireless labor. There is wisdom in every word she speaks and meaning in every task she performs. Even when she was extremely busy, she would neatly braid my hair by the edge of the field.
Today, I am a mother myself. My mother is alive, praise be to God, and has performed the pilgrimage, yet I still seek her advice and take her as my role model. From her, I learned love, patience, diligence, and deep affection for children.
To build our house, through foreign lands to roam.
When thoughts of family fill his mind,
Longing grips his heart, so cruel, unkind.
Like pearls, his tears fall from his eyes,
Adorning sorrow no one ever spies.
“Daddy, when will you return?” they pray,
His children wait and hope each day.
Too late they learn his worth so true,
Their hearts now ache with deep regret anew.
Your sweetest tea has lost its taste,
Your earned-up money feels like waste.
This splendid house, so rich, so grand,
Without a father—no builder’s hand.
Gulsevar Mirzamahmudova was born on May 12, 2009, in Eskiarab village, Oltiariq District of Fergana Region. She is currently an 11th-grade student of Class 11B at General Secondary School No. 23. She is a holder of the National Certificate in Uzbek Language and Literature.
