A two-day republican August Conference dedicated to discussing new priorities and development directions in the field of education has begun in Astana. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took part in the plenary session of the professional forum entitled “Human Capital, Education, Progress – the Core Values of the People’s Constitution.” The Head of State outlined the key priorities for the development of the country’s education system. The conference is also attended by Bolat Anapiyuly, Chairman of the Board-Rector of Abai KazNPU, and Banu Narbekova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

At the long-awaited national forum, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reviewed the current state of the education system and outlined the key tasks facing this vital sector, which plays an important role in the country’s development and prosperity. The President addressed the construction of modern schools, enhancing the status of teachers, introducing artificial intelligence, eliminating the shortage of qualified personnel, and training a new generation of teachers. He emphasized that the development of education is not limited to the introduction of new technologies and modern infrastructure, as the ultimate outcome of any reform depends on the quality of human capital. In this process, teachers play a particularly important role, as they shape the consciousness and worldview of the younger generation.

– For the successful implementation of historical changes that will determine the future of our nation, public consciousness must first undergo renewal. In this regard, the role of the teacher – a representative of a noble and respected profession – is of particular importance. The world may be transformed by the most advanced technologies. But changing a person and their worldview is something only a true teacher can accomplish. Therefore, the state has always placed special emphasis on the development of the education system, – Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

As part of the August Conference, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a session entitled “The Future of Teacher Education: Developing and Implementing a National Model.” The session brought together the heads of the country’s leading higher education institutions, international experts, and representatives of employers’ associations. At the session, Banu Narbekova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of Abai University, delivered a report entitled “The Concept for the Development of Teacher Education: Creating a New Unified Ecosystem for the Professional Development of Teachers Taking into Account New Trends.” The report presented the experience of Abai University, a leading pedagogical university in Central Asia and Kazakhstan.

The session also addressed the transformation of the system for teacher training and support, the introduction of evidence-based pedagogical methods, strengthening the practice-oriented approach to teacher training, and issues of inclusive education.

Media Center “Abai University”