The ministry of national education of Uzbekistan banned graduation parties at schools.

The officials force teachers and directors of educational institutions to sign letters of guarantee that celebrations will not be held. Also the last bell ceremony is regulated. They will be held in the open areas of schools, duration of the event should not exceed one hour, local mass media reported.

Fergana news agency interviewed some school teachers and they expressed the view that strict rules are connected with the fact that the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be held  in Tashkent in June. However, nobody could explain how exactly school parties can interfere with reception of the distinguished guests.

Students of colleges and schools in Uzbekistan were banned to pray on the day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on September 24, 2015. Local authorities banned holding of weddings and banquets at restaurants and cafés in connection with the beginning of the cotton harvest in the Samarkand region of Uzbekistan.