The new academic year in Kazakhstan begins with significant changes to the school curriculum, assessment, digital education, school meals, and the child protection system. Over 380,000 1st grade students will enter school for the first time, El.kz reports.
Summative assessments for primary school students to be cancelled
One of the key changes concerns the assessment of primary school students. Starting from the new academic year, primary schools will no longer conduct summative assessments for a section and a term. The decision was made following an analysis of the existing assessment system and feedback from parents and teachers.
The content of the school curriculum is also being revised. Students in grades 5-7 will study “Fundamentals of the Constitution,” while upper-secondary students will take a course entitled “Law and Order.” These subjects form part of the elective component of the curriculum and will not be assessed separately.
Another area of reform concerns AI. In primary school, the subject “Digital Literacy” has been renamed “Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence.” Students will be introduced to the basic principles of AI, media literacy, personal data protection, and responsible conduct in the digital environment.
“Keleshек Mektepteri” schools to serve as a model for other schools
School infrastructure is continuing to be upgraded for the new academic year. The national “Keleshек Mektepteri” project, launched on the instruction of President Tokayev, was initially designed to address the shortage of student places, eliminate the need for three-shift schooling, and reduce the number of schools operating in emergency or unsafe buildings.
Since the launch of the project, 217 schools with a total capacity of 460,000 student places have been constructed. According to the Ministry of Education, the educational process has already commenced in the majority of these schools.
Approximately 218,000 children are currently enrolled in them. The schools are equipped with STEM laboratories, robotics classrooms, workshops, and dedicated spaces for creative activities and sports. The infrastructure and management approaches developed under the “Keleshек Mektepteri” project are now planned to be gradually replicated across other schools throughout the country.
Free school meals to be managed through a digital system
Free hot meals will continue to be provided to all primary school students, regardless of household income. Certain categories of older students are also eligible for subsidized meals.
At the same time, the system for recording and administering the service is changing. Schools are transitioning to the “Social Wallet”, which is integrated with eGov Mobile. Parents are not required to obtain a separate digital voucher if the necessary information is already available in government information systems.
The fact that a child has received a meal is recorded in the digital system. This approach enables payments to service providers to be calculated on the basis of meals actually provided, while also allowing authorities to monitor whether a student has used the service to which they are entitled. Integration of school information systems with the “Social Wallet” is already being implemented in the regions.
“Personal Safety” to be introduced into the curriculum
The school safety system is also undergoing changes. A “Personal Safety” course is being introduced into the curriculum to develop students’ ability to respond appropriately to challenging situations, maintain emotional resilience, and identify potential risks. The course will be mandatory for students in grades 5–11.
At the same time, Kazakhstan is implementing the “Children of Kazakhstan” Concept through 2030. The Concept brings together government measures in the areas of education, health, social protection, and child safety. It provides for the expansion of psychological support services, early identification of risks, and the development of digital mechanisms for providing support and case management for children.
Specialized child rights protection units are being established at the regional level. Their responsibilities include preventing violations of children’s rights, supporting affected children, and coordinating assistance to families. In this year’s KidsRights Index, Kazakhstan ranked 24th among the countries included in the ranking.
Greater emphasis on promoting reading among schoolchildren
Another priority for the new academic year is the development of a culture of reading. In the spring, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree on measures to promote reading culture and foster a reading nation. The document provides for the modernization of libraries, broader access to books, and the development of digital resources.
There are 3,887 public-access libraries operating in the country. Their combined collections exceed 72.5 mlb items, while libraries recorded more than 57 mln visits last year.
These efforts also extend to schools. The “Children’s Library” programme and digital reading services continue to be developed, providing schoolchildren with access to Kazakh and world literature. The reading lists are also expected to include a greater number of works about prominent figures in Kazakhstan’s history and culture, ensuring that such books are accessible to children through school and digital libraries.
