CURRENT ISSUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS' SPIRITUAL AND MORAL ACTIVITY IN THE CONTEXT OF EDUCATIONAL TRANSFORMATION

This study examines contemporary challenges and pedagogical approaches to developing students’ spiritual and moral activity in higher education institutions of Uzbekistan. The research employed a qualitative design based on theoretical analysis, comparative analysis, content analysis, and a systemic approach, supplemented by an empirical survey of undergraduate students using a structured questionnaire covering spiritual values, moral responsibility, civic engagement, social participation, and digital ethics. The findings show that spiritual and moral activity is a multidimensional construct comprising cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components. Students demonstrated high levels of spiritual values, moral responsibility, and digital ethics, while civic engagement and social participation remained at a sufficient but less developed level. The study concludes that effective moral education requires coordinated interaction among universities, families, communities, civil society organizations, and state institutions. Value-oriented curricula, mentoring, service-learning, volunteering, student self-government, and community engagement are identified as practically relevant mechanisms for strengthening moral responsibility and civic consciousness.