Teachers’ professional development system modernized in Kazakhstan

‘It is essential to improve qualification of the teachers. We need to strengthen the standards of the basic teacher’s education, requirements for professional development of school and university teachers,’ the President emphasized in his annual Address to the Nation ‘Socio-economic modernization – main direction of development of Kazakhstan’.

Great emphasis is made on raising the status of a teacher in the State Program on Development of Education. The bonuses for qualification category of teachers were raised since September 1, 2011 as well as the bonuses for technical and vocational education system trainers were established.

One of the main activities regarding the issue of promoting the status of a teacher is related to the transformation of the system of professional development of teachers. Principally new basic complexes of this system were created in the country such as the National Center for teachers’ professional development with integrated centers in the regions, Teacher’s Excellence Centers under the Nazarbayev University. Upon the completion of three month courses new qualification levels will be assigned which later become a basis for further salary raises.

Teacher’s Excellence Center was established in November 2011 for transfer of experience of the Nazarbayev University. The project provides for organization of professional development of teachers of secondary schools within a special educational program that meets the best international standards. In this context the experts from the University of Cambridge provide their assistance.

It should be noted that upon the completion of joint researches a three level program of trainings for teachers of secondary schools was developed. Every level represents a uniform education program that provides for education in class over 2 months and 1 month remotely. In future, the experience will be transferred to all secondary education schools through the Teacher’s Excellence Center.

Presently, mini-centers of teachers’ excellence are open under functioning Intellectual Schools in 5 regions. Later, the centers will be functioning on the basis of all commissioned Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools. Thus, 15 more Intellectual Schools are planned to be opened by the end of 2015.

In whole, the system of professional development will be fully functioning in 2012 and meet all the international requirements for professional development of teachers.