National Model of a Continuous System of Inclusive Education will be Implemented in Kazakhstan

Today, over 86% of the country’s schools have created conditions for receiving inclusive education. Such data were presented by the Vice Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Edil Ospan, at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Geneva.

Addressing the participating countries, he noted that inclusive education is recognized as a key element in the development of the educational system. The Government of Kazakhstan is making significant efforts to ensure accessibility and improve the quality of education for children with special educational needs.

“Strategies and programs for the development of inclusive education have been developed; educational seminars and trainings for teachers are held, and initiatives of schools and educational institutions are supported. The network of special educational organizations increased by 68 units. 708 inclusion support rooms and 22 resource advisory centers have been opened at schools. About 2.5 thousand teaching assistants, 9.7 thousand special teachers, over 12 thousand educational psychologists, and social educators have been hired. More than 600 special training programs have been developed. The National model of a continuous system of inclusive education will be introduced in educational institutions to create a barrier-free and inclusive environment,” Edil Ospan said.

There are more than 200,000 children with special educational needs in Kazakhstan today. A network of special educational organizations has been created for them, including 44 special kindergartens, 99 special schools, 99 PMPC, 212 CPPC, 10 autism centers and 13 rehabilitation centers. The rest of the children study in general education schools under conditions of inclusion. To implement the general policy at all levels of education, the Department of Special and Inclusive Education was created in November 2023 under the Ministry of Education.