Teach for Qazaqstan: unlock the potential of children in the regions of the country

EVERY CHILD DESERVES EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION

BE THE TEACHER YOU ALWAYS WISHED YOU HAD

JOIN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF LEADERS

A TEACHER’S WORDS CAN REWRITE THE FUTURE

О нас

Who are we?

Our program tackles educational inequality by fostering safe, inclusive spaces where every child’s dignity and individuality are valued.

What do we do?

We recruit, train, and support professionals from diverse backgrounds who commit to teaching for two years in regional schools.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for LEADERS who can become role models FOR CHILDREN, those who will help to FULFILL their POTENTIAL, and become not just teachers, but mentors and friends to their students.

We believe every child deserves a future shaped by their potential, not limited by their background. By ensuring equal access to education, we can empower kids to chart their own course in life, regardless of where they start.

Our Values

Professionalism

COMMITMENT

Leadership

Partnership

Trust

What are the challenges leading to inequality in education?

DEMOGRAPHIC GROWTH

Increasing birth rates and international migration affect natural population growth, including the increase in the number of children. Uneven distribution of people and resources leads to inequality.

UNDERDEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTURE

The primary issue stems from unequal funding for schools, resulting in unsafe facilities, overcrowded classrooms, and the need for double or even triple-shift schooling. Underdeveloped infrastructure encompasses poor road conditions, inadequate public utilities, and related challenges.

TEACHER SHORTAGE

According to 2022 data, only 18.5% of teachers in rural schools hold the highest certification level, compared to 31.2% in urban schools. As of 2023, Kazakhstan faces a shortage of approximately 4,000 educators, per government reports.

ACCELERATING URBANIZATION

The issue is self-reinforcing: rapid urbanization drives unequal funding, which erodes infrastructure and resources in rural and regional schools. As these schools decline, more parents feel compelled to relocate closer to urban “top-tier” schools—perpetuating the cycle.

schools in Kazakhstan

8 out of 10 schools are in rural areas. However, 56% of all students attend urban schools.

students, meaning every seventh citizen in the country is a school student.

is where Kazakhstan stands worldwide in terms of education system quality

WHAT DO CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES DREAM OF?

The video was shot by our friends, the Dope Soz team, as part of a special project in the village of Gabiden Mustafin. The original is available on [Dope Soz s YouTube channel].

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Support the project

The Public Foundation Teach for Qazaqstan is supported by The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

We operate in accordance with the State Compulsory Standard of General Secondary Education and the Professional Standard "Teacher" as per the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Our selected fellows will take the national Teacher Knowledge Assessment test. Upon completion of the pedagogical retraining, the project finalists receive a special certificate.

Teach for All

Teach for Qazaqstan is inspired by the idea and contribution of the global organization Teach For All, founded in 2007.

The organization consists of 64 independent partner organizations, each working to achieve educational equality in their respective countries.

In May 2023, Teach for Qazaqstan became a full partner of Teach For All, allowing for the exchange of international educational experiences that contribute to the successful development and rapid scaling of the program in Kazakhstan.

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2-Year Fellow’s Journey

The selection process is conducted in two rounds. During the selection, candidates are assessed based on their potential and motivation to work as teachers in schools across Kazakhstan. Candidates are selected by a committee that includes education experts, HR professionals, and independent specialists

Immersion (Matriculation): Fellows go through an online immersion into the Teach For Qazaqstan ecosystem. They take part in webinars and sessions focused on the Fund’s mission and values, the program’s theory of change, the specifics of working in the non-profit and social innovation sector, issues of educational inequity, and the realities of working in regional communities.

Pedagogical Retraining Courses & Teacher Knowledge Assessment: Fellows complete a blended (online and offline) pedagogical retraining program, including the Summer Institute and in-school teaching practice. The curriculum covers topics such as developmental psychology and physiology, theory of education, instructional design, and classroom management.

The Teacher Knowledge Assessment serves as a key step for fellows to continue in the program and become eligible for school placement. It’s important to note that the training program requires full commitment — including the offline Summer Institute, which lasts approximately 40 days.

Year 1 in the Program: Fellows receive continuous support in two key areas: coaching and instructional guidance. They also take part in ongoing professional development to strengthen their teaching skills through both online and offline formats. During this year, fellows begin to form the early ideas for their own educational or community-based projects.

Year 2 in the Program: Fellows implement their own social and cultural projects for children and local communities, aiming to create meaningful change at the grassroots level. During this period, they also choose and begin developing within a professional track aligned with their future career interests — such as teaching and/or coaching, education management, social innovation and entrepreneurship, or research. Both coaching and instructional support continue throughout the second year.

Our Partners

We are deeply grateful to our partners for supporting us in achieving our mission.