This article systematically analyzes the historical stages of development of the public education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with particular attention to the reforms implemented after independence. The study examines the historical development of education and enlightenment in the territory of Uzbekistan from ancient times, including the period of Islamic cultural advancement, the Timurid era, the Jadid movement, and the Soviet education system. Particular attention is devoted to the formation and modernization of the national education system during 1991–2026, the improvement of its legal framework, implementation of the National Program for Personnel Training, development of lifelong learning, large-scale reforms after 2017, improvement of educational quality, strengthening the professional status of teachers, introduction of international educational standards, and digital transformation. The findings demonstrate that modernization of the education system has become one of the strategic priorities of state policy in Uzbekistan during the years of independence.