On August 14, with the participation of the Akim of Kostanay Region, Kumar Irgibayevich Aksakalov, the regional August conference of education workers was held on the theme «Human Capital – the Strategic Foundation for Regional Development: Quality of Education and Priorities for the New Academic Year».

The plenary session was held in the format of a professional dialogue. Participants discussed the quality of education, modern educational technologies and artificial intelligence, the development of rural schools, professional competencies of teachers, and the skills needed by the children of the future.

A particular impression on the participants was made by Ұмай – a digital virtual host, who appeared on stage for the first time alongside the traditional moderator of the plenary session. Created using artificial intelligence technologies, she became a real highlight of the event.

In her video address, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhuldyz Suleimenova, outlined the strategic guidelines for the development of education, noting the importance of improving quality, digitalization, and the introduction of modern technologies and AI.

Head of the Education Department of Kostanay Region, Ardak Begatarov, presented regional priorities, including improving the quality of education, functional literacy of students, professionalism of teachers, and ensuring equal access to quality education.

Vice Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhaiyk Sharabasov, spoke about the main directions of state educational policy and tasks for the new academic year.

AI and data analysis expert Muhammad Ali Javed from the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (Abu Dhabi) spoke about preparing schools for the AI era, the responsible use of technology, and preserving the key role of the teacher.

First Vice President of the Bilim-Innovation International Foundation, Yerzhan Aubakirov, presented practices for supporting rural and small schools within the framework of the «Auyl Mektebi – Sapa Alany» project.

Teacher of the «Bilim-Innovation» Lyceum in the city of Semey, Marat Aitkaliyev, addressed the topic of Generation Alpha and the competencies of the future, emphasizing the role of the teacher as a mentor and leader.

Summing up the results, Akim of Kostanay Region, Kumar Aksakalov, noted the special attention of the Head of State, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, to issues of education and the younger generation, which was reflected in the new People's Constitution.

«For us, education also remains one of the main priorities, as it is a sphere that directly concerns every family,» emphasized the head of the region.

Today, the region's education system covers about 150,000 children, with more than 36,000 employees working in the sector. This year, 227.1 billion tenge has been allocated for education, which is about a third of the regional budget. In 2023, this figure was 176.8 billion tenge.

Over the past three years, 15 kindergartens and 10 schools have been built in the region, and 457 facilities have been renovated, including 30 major overhauls. During the same period, 83 graduates of the region received grants to study at leading universities around the world.

«Our task is to ensure that such examples are not isolated, that every child has opportunities, regardless of where they live. And the task of teachers is to recognize talent in time, support it, and help it flourish,» emphasized Kumar Aksakalov.

In the lobby of the «Zhastar Saraiy», thematic exhibitions were held where teachers got acquainted with modern educational solutions, digital tools, and practical developments. As part of the master classes, participants were able to learn about new approaches and apply them in practice.

The conference concluded with an awards ceremony for education workers. The Akim of the region presented 25 teachers with departmental and regional awards.

3 teachers were awarded the «Eңbek Ardagerі» medals, 4 – the I. Altynsarin breastplates, 2 – the «Bilim Beru Salasynyn Uzdigi» breastplates, 2 – honorary diplomas «Orta Bilim Beru Isinin Uzdigi», 2 – honorary diplomas «Tekhnikalyk Zhane Kasіptik Bilim Beru Isinin Uzdigi».

In addition, 3 employees were recognized with Certificates of Honor from the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 4 – with Letters of Gratitude from the Ministry, and another 5 teachers – with certificates from the Akim of Kostanay Region.

Certificates were also awarded to the winners of regional competitions. The I. Altynsarin Gymnasium in the city of Arkalyk was recognized as the best secondary education organization of 2026, and the Rudny Mining and Technology College – as the best technical and vocational education organization. They were awarded certificates for 68 million tenge.

According to the results of the rating assessment among the education departments of the region's cities, the winner was the Education Department of the city of Rudny, and among the districts — the Education Department of the Beimbet Mailin District. They were awarded certificates worth 5 million tenge. Cash prizes were also received by the winners of the «Taza Kazakhstan» competition in the «Best Schoolyard» nomination.

The August conference combined the discussion of strategic educational tasks with practical solutions and the experience of teachers, which are to be implemented in the new academic year.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/kostanay/press/news/details/1274618?lang=ru