9 Apr 2018 16:06

Nazarbayev calls introduction of English in Kazakh schools 'imperative of our time'

ASTANA. April 9 (Interfax) - The reforms in the Kazakh education system, including the introduction of instruction in English in the country's schools, are being carried out at the right time, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said.

"Instruction in English will be done in high school. If we don't teach children English now, we will not be able to train staff properly in the future. It's an imperative of our time, which parents should understand. In the meantime, we should not forget about the teaching of the Kazakh language," Kazakh presidential press service quoted Nazarbayev as saying at a meeting with Kazakh Education and Science Minister Yerlan Sagadiyev.

Sagadiyev gave Nazarbayev a report on the implementation of the state program to develop education and science in 2016-2019, and also information on the training of teachers to teach some subjects in English, the press service said.

"In 2016, only 2,000 teachers taught in English. Last year, 11,500 people applied to take relevant courses, and some 3,000 of them have completed the courses to start teaching. Eight thousand continued their training and are now in the process of reaching the necessary level. Thus, 13,500 school teachers will begin teaching subjects in English in 2019," Sagadiyev said.

He also reported on the interim results of the work to improve the pre-school education system. According to his information, 95% of all children will be covered by preschool education in 2018. The indicator will be achieved by building private kindergartens.

At the end of the meeting, the president issued a number of orders.