President Tokayev: Teachers Hold Key to Safe, Strong, and Fair Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev has extended sincere congratulations to Kazakhstan’s educators at a special ceremony held at the Akorda, commemorating the country’s Teacher’s Day.

In his address, the president underscored that Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a leading nation depends heavily on strengthening its foundations in education and science, The Caspian Post informs via Kazakh media.

“To secure our future, we must place education at the heart of national progress,” he said.

Major Investments in Education

President Tokayev reviewed the key advances made over the past five years to bolster the education sector:

Education funding has tripled.

1,200 new schools have been opened nationwide.

150 schools have been constructed under the Keleshek Mektepteri (Schools of the Future) program, with 67 more under construction.

A special law has been passed to elevate the status of teachers.

Teachers’ salaries have been doubled.

This year, over 13,000 university grants have been awarded for pedagogical majors - nearly 20 per cent of all educational grants nationwide.

The president also praised students’ achievements, noting that more than 1,000 schoolchildren have won international academic Olympiads - a success he attributed to dedicated teachers and talented youth.

Youth, Values, and Digital Education

President Tokayev reaffirmed his confidence in the younger generation and highlighted the integration of the “Adal Azamat” (Honest Citizen) patriotic education program into school curricula this year, designed to foster national values, patriotism, and civic responsibility from an early age.

Turning to technology, he stressed the necessity of digital literacy from the earliest years:

“Students should learn to apply advanced technologies throughout the learning process - and teachers must continuously enhance their skills as well.”

Law, Order, and Civic Education

The president also addressed the role of education in shaping a just society. He noted that since 2019, the number of criminal cases has halved, crediting growing legal awareness and education efforts.

He emphasized that teachers and the Ministry of Enlightenment have a vital responsibility in building a culture of justice:

“The principles of justice, law, and order must begin at school. Only then can we ensure the harmonious development of our younger generation and build a Safe, Strong, and Fair Kazakhstan.”

Honors and Recognition

In recognition of their contributions, President Tokayev presented state awards to several distinguished teachers during the ceremony.

Earlier in the day, the president participated in the 1st meeting of the Council for AI Development and visited an exhibition showcasing digital solutions in education.