Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised teachers for their contribution to developing the country’s human capital and said the government should pay particular attention to introducing AI-based lessons in secondary schools.

Speaking at a Teacher’s Day ceremony at the Akorda Palace, Tokayev said more than 4 million schoolchildren in Kazakhstan, or about one-fifth of the population, should grow up in a developed state, a safe environment and a civilized society, The Caspian Post reports, citing Qazinform.

As Tokayev noted, the strength of a civilized and advanced state is determined not only by its natural resources but also by the quality of its human capital. He added that a country’s international standing and economic potential depend on the level of education and science in society.

The president said Kazakhstan had built 1,342 schools offering more than 1 million student places over the past seven years, while another 101 schools are currently under construction.

As part of the Keleshek Mektepteri (Schools of the Future) project, 217 schools with a capacity of 460,000 students have been built, including 84, or 40%, in rural areas.

“I have always emphasized that both rural and urban areas must have modern schools that provide children with equal access to quality education,” the President said.

He also highlighted a nationwide program to introduce specialized AI-based lessons in secondary schools and instructed the government to pay close attention to the initiative.

October 5 is officially observed as Teacher’s Day in Kazakhstan. According to Tokayev, the tradition of honoring educators at the national level will continue, describing it as a matter of exceptional importance for the state.