Briefing of the akim of North Kazakhstan region on preparation for the new academic year

The pandemic has made a difference not only in our daily lives, but also in the traditional way of teaching our children.

A new academic year will begin in just two weeks. Now, the preparation of educational institutions is underway.

The renovation of educational facilities continues. 142 schools were renovated last year. This year, we will overhaul another 107 objects. Thus, in two years, we will renew half of the schools in the region.

Three schools are under construction. By the new academic year, two schools will open their doors: one for 900 seats in Zhas-Orken microdistrict, another one for 300 seats in Beskol.

Also, before the start of the school year, we will fully resolve the issues of providing video surveillance and updating the bus fleet of schools.

For the first time in a long time, we have allocated funds to renovate furniture and sports equipment in schools.

Computers are updated. Over the past three years, 1,600 units have been purchased. This year, during quarantine, due to savings, 580 computers were purchased and distributed to schoolchildren. In addition, another 14 thousand units of equipment will be purchased. These are laptops, computers and tablets.

As a result, this year, we purchase the same number of computers as we had bought for the last 10 years.

I will dwell separately on the work of educational institutions.

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In preschool organizations

Duty groups will work, not exceeding 15 children in one group. Reception of children will be organized for working parents. With the improvement of the epidemiological situation, there will be a gradual opening of full groups with respect to social distance.

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In organizations of secondary education

There are 477 schools in the region. The estimated contingent will be 75 thousand pupils.

The number of first-graders is growing every year. In 2018, 7.7 thousand children went to the first grade, last year already 8.5 thousand. This year we expect about 9 thousand children.

The educational process will take place in the following areas.

First. As usual, in compliance with all sanitary safety measures, classes will be held in 318 small schools located in settlements with a favorable epidemiological background. In two shifts, no more than 15 children in one class.

Second. In schools with remote learning format for primary school students, at the request of parents, 2,000 duty classes will function. Also no more than 15 people in one class.

For the organization of learning in remote format, the need for computers of teachers and students has been studied. In total, 15 thousand new computer equipment will be given to children.

First of all, computers will be given to children from low-income families, orphans and special children.

Also computers will be transferred to 373 teachers for temporary use.

All children will be provided with free textbooks.

We understand that high-quality Internet is needed for schools to operate remotely.

Today, 437 out of 635 settlements in North Kazakhstan region have broadband Internet access. This year, we will connect 133 more villages to high-quality Internet. Thus, by the end of 2020, 570 villages will be covered by broadband Internet or 90% of the region’s settlements.

More than 96% of schools are connected to broadband Internet. Teachers not included in the "risk group" will work from schools, each in his own office.

We purchase 1,500 routers and USB modems for remote villages. All of them will be passed on to children from low-income families.

All sanitary safety measures will be provided in educational institutions. We purchase non-contact thermal imagers, sanitizers and disinfectants.

In order to exclude unwanted contacts in schools, canteens will not work.

Knowledge Day on September 1 will be held in a distance format from 1 to 11 grades in these schools.

All these activities will help minimize risks for our children and teachers.

In the future, depending on the steady decline in the incidence, there will be a gradual transition of schools to combined and traditional formats of education.

Television lessons will become an additional educational resource. The TV lessons will be broadcast on the republican TV channels "Al-Farabi" and "Yel-Arna" from 9.00 to 18.00.

In all settlements, there is a connection via satellite television and radio broadcasting "OTAU TV" with the ability to receive throughout the region. In addition, negotiations have begun with Kazteleradio on broadcasting digital terrestrial network at all available stations. At the moment, 29 stations are operating. In addition, 13 more will be connected. The population coverage of the region will be 100%.

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On the work of colleges.

There are 25 colleges in the region. 3 colleges will operate remotely. 12 colleges will switch to the combined form of education. In 10 colleges located in villages, education will be on a regular basis.

In organizations of additional education, depending on the epidemiological situation, it will be organized in a distance format. In a regular mode, individual lessons and lessons in small groups of up to 5 people are allowed.

In special educational organizations, children will be consulted online, children will be admitted to classes by appointment, only in an individual format for children with complex disabilities.

The issue of staff shortage has been practically resolved. Thus, over the past three years, 1,390 young teachers have arrived in the region’s schools. This year, we expect another 315 young specialists.

Remote learning is an innovation not only for children, but also for teachers. Therefore, work is now underway to improve the IT competencies of teachers. An online course has been developed aimed at mastering the skills of working in a distance format by teachers. Already, about 3 thousand teachers have completed course training. Another 10,000 will have studied before the start of the school year.

There will also be online courses for parents.

To provide technical support, 15 Call-centers will start operating in the regions and in the city of Petropavlovsk from August 20. With any issues, you can ask for help.

The whole range of measures taken will allow you to start the school year in an orderly manner.

On the eve of the new school year, I would like to address the parents. It is not easy for children to study at home. Therefore, I ask you to pay special attention to remote learning of children. Teach them how to use computer devices. You also need to pay attention to upbringing of the children.

In conclusion, I would like to wish all students and teachers a fruitful study and good health.