Competence Centers: Experience, Innovations, Prospects

On October 23, 2024, Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region, jointly with the Institute for Early Childhood Development of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, held a republican workshop titled “Competence Centers: Experience, Innovations, Prospects”.

The goal of the workshop was to share best practices of Competence Centers and Mobile Groups in enhancing the quality of preschool education and training.

The first part of the event took place at 4 Competence Centers of Ust-Kamenogorsk city, offering practical workshops on the following topics: “Comprehensive development of preschoolers through national education” (Rakhat Kindergarten No. 15); “Effective use of innovative technologies to organize the educational process” (Balapan Kindergarten No. 1); “Developing intellectual and cognitive activity of preschoolers through project-based and research activities in a continuous system “kindergarten-primary school” (Valeological Specialized School Complex for Gifted Children); “Applying digital technologies in preschool education” (Erketai Kindergarten No. 18).

During practical sessions, educators of Aizhuldyz Kindergarten of Ulan district, Balbobek Kindergarten of Ulken-Naryn district, Karlygash Kindergarten No. 106 of Ust-Kamenogorsk city; as well as educators of Abai, Pavlodar regions shared their experiences, business games, life hacks, master classes.        

The second part of the workshop was held at the Regional Drama Theater. A methodological exhibition of visual aids for preschool educators was organized as part of the plenary part of the republican workshop. Pupils of Schoolchildren’s Creativity House of Ust-Kamenogorsk city presented musical performances.

1. Akylbek, Deputy Head of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region welcomed the participants of the workshop; L.A. Baron, a chief expert of Preschool Education Department of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, M.N. Ermanova, Acting Director of the Institute for Early Childhood Development of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan provided an overview of the work done in the Republic in the preschool education.

During the republican workshop, the following participants shared their experiences on coordinating the work of Competence Centers, Mobile Groups and Consultation Centers: A.K. Kyrykbayeva, a methodologist of Örken East Kazakhstan Regional Scientific and Methodological Center for Informatization and Education Development of Education Administration of East Kazakhstan region; A.Zh. Zhumagulova, Head of Preschool and Primary Education Department of Regional Innovation and Methodological Center of Education Administration of Abai region; Zh.A. Mukhtayeva, a methodologist of the Innovative Center for Education Development of Education Administration of Pavlodar region.

The event was attended by methodologists of Regional Centers and Departments of Preschool Education, heads and educators of kindergartens, about 200 educators from 17 regions of the Republic. Following the workshop, Acting Director of the Institute for Early Childhood Development of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan M.N. Ermanova summarized the results and thanked the organizers of the workshop.