Kazakhstan Ranks Among Top 5 Nations for Teacher Salary Satisfaction

Kazakhstan has secured a position among the world's top five countries for teacher satisfaction with their salaries, according to the results of the TALIS-2024 international study. The indicator has shown dramatic growth, rising from 39% in 2018 to 71% in the latest survey.

The findings were presented at an expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Education. Today, 95% of educators in the country report being satisfied with their work overall, reflecting a high level of professional contentment.

The significant improvements are attributed to systemic reforms in the sector. The adoption of the "On the Status of a Teacher" law addressed key issues, including reducing teachers' weekly workload from 50 to 36 hours and increasing annual leave to 56 days.

Financial measures have been central to this progress. Over recent years, salaries for school teachers have doubled, while wages for kindergarten educators have risen by 30%. These changes have helped lessen administrative burdens, allowing teachers to focus more on instructing children and their own professional growth.

As a result, the proportion of teaching staff holding a master's degree has tripled and now stands at 11%.

The professionalism of Kazakh educators is also gaining international recognition. A notable example is Almaty chemistry teacher Tatiana Belousova being named among the top 50 teachers globally in the Global Teacher Prize competition.

Furthermore, national honors have been bestowed upon educators: five teachers received the title "Kazakhstan's Labor Hero," and 95 were awarded the distinction "Honored Teacher of Kazakhstan."

Looking ahead, the ministry plans to continue supporting young specialists, developing digital literacy, and implementing advanced standards for personnel training. Key priorities include further improving legislative protections for teachers' rights and relieving them of non-core duties. These comprehensive measures aim to strengthen the nation's intellectual potential and reduce educational inequality, particularly in rural regions.