AI enters Kazakhstan’s school education

Beginning in primary education, Kazakh schoolchildren will study the fundamentals of AI, digital safety, and the use of modern technologies, El.kz reports citing Enlightenment Ministry

School curriculum reform initiated under Presidential directive

The Ministry of Education has launched a comprehensive revision of the national curriculum in response to the rapid advancement of AI, digital technologies, and evolving labour market requirements.

The reform is being implemented under the instruction given by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the Republican August Conference of Educators in 2025.

The initiative was supported by a legislative framework through the adoption of the Law on Artificial Intelligence, followed by a Presidential Decree on the integration of AI into the secondary education system.

As a result, the State Compulsory Education Standard, the Model Curriculum Framework, and subject curricula have been revised.

The primary school subject previously titled Digital Literacy has been renamed Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence, while the subject Computer Science in lower and upper secondary education has been renamed Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence.

AI integrated across school subjects

According to the Ministry, the reform extends beyond the renaming of subjects.

Dedicated AI-related modules have been incorporated into the curriculum, together with 43 new learning objectives.

The Ministry notes that today’s students already use a wide range of AI-powered services in their daily lives. Accordingly, schools are expected to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to use these technologies responsibly, safely, and effectively, while developing an understanding of both their capabilities and limitations.

AI education in primary school

A new curriculum component entitled Media Literacy and Artificial Intelligence has been developed for primary school students and comprises 17 learning objectives.

Students will be introduced to the concept of artificial intelligence through practical, everyday examples, learn about its current applications, develop essential digital safety skills, understand how to protect personal data, and adopt responsible online behaviour.

Changes for lower secondary wducation

For lower secondary students, the updated curriculum introduces the modules Computational Thinking and Programming and Health, Safety and Artificial Intelligence, comprising 14 learning objectives.

Students will learn how to use AI tools appropriately when completing homework assignments and academic projects. Particular emphasis will be placed on developing effective prompt-writing skills, critically evaluating AI-generated responses, verifying the accuracy and reliability of information, complying with cybersecurity requirements, and upholding the principles of academic integrity.

Upper secondary students to study machine learning

In upper secondary education, a new module entitled Data Management and Artificial Intelligencewill be introduced, containing 12 learning objectives.

The curriculum includes the study of the fundamental principles of artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural networks, data analytics, and applied cryptography. The objective is to ensure that graduates are able not only to use existing digital tools effectively but also to understand the underlying principles of modern intelligent systems.

Updated programmes successfully piloted

The Ministry of Education reported that the revised curricula were piloted during the previous academic year and received a positive expert evaluation.

The documents are currently undergoing the formal approval process. At the same time, methodological guidance is being developed for teachers to support the safe and effective integration of artificial intelligence tools into the teaching and learning process.