Kazakhstan Builds 217 Modern Schools in Three Years, Creating Over 460,000 Places

Over the past three years, Kazakhstan has completed the construction of 217 new-format schools, providing more than 460,000 student places. This large-scale initiative addresses the critical shortage of educational facilities, alleviates overcrowding in existing institutions, and creates comfortable learning environments for hundreds of thousands of children.

The national project was first announced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his 2022 address to the nation. He emphasized that the quality of secondary education is a fundamental factor in building a successful nation.

The primary goal has been to construct modern schools in cities and growing settlements where the need for student places is most acute. All new buildings are furnished with modern equipment and furniture, predominantly sourced from domestic manufacturers.

A key focus has been bridging the gap between urban and rural education. Nearly half of all new schools are located in rural areas, ensuring equitable access to quality education for children regardless of their place of residence.

These new-format schools feature contemporary architecture and well-planned infrastructure. Their floor area is 15-20% larger than standard school buildings, and their level of technical equipment is four times higher. Depending on regional needs, the project includes facilities with capacities ranging from 300 to 2,500 places, designed with local climatic and infrastructural conditions in mind.

The development of inclusive education has been a vital component. For children with special educational needs, specialized classrooms with separate sanitary facilities are provided. The buildings are equipped with elevators, ramps, and navigation signs, and house offices for psychologists, speech therapists, and special education teachers. For the first time in Kazakhstan's school construction practice, each building block includes dedicated rest zones for both students and teachers.

Security measures are comprehensive: schools have video surveillance systems linked to operational control centers, panic buttons, sound alarms, automatic door locksystems ,and licensed security personnel.

Educational work within these schools is built on the principles of the "Adal Azamat" (Honest Citizen) personality formation program. The educational environment aims to cultivate responsible ,honest ,and proactive citizens ready to contribute to society's development.

This national project stands as one of the largest infrastructure endeavors in Kazakhstan's education sector in recent years. The new schools are shaping a modern educational landscape and laying a solid foundation for developing the country's human capital.