ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said teachers are more important than ever as artificial intelligence and digital technologies reshape education, urging Kazakhstan to strengthen human capital and adapting its schools to a rapidly changing world. 

“A teacher is a key figure in every person’s life. I believe everyone would agree with this. Deep respect for educators is an important sign that determines the maturity of a civilized society,” Tokayev said at an Oct. 5 ceremony in Akorda marking Teachers’ Day in the country. 

“Today, in an era of rapid development of advanced technologies and enormous information flows, the role of the teacher has become more important than ever. This is an undeniable fact,” Tokayev added.

Expanding access to quality education

More than four million schoolchildren make up nearly one-fifth of Kazakhstan’s population, Tokayev said. He stressed that children should have the opportunity to grow up in a safe, developed society.

According to him, the quality of human capital is what determines the strength of an advanced and civilized state. The country’s position in the world and its economic potential, he added, depend directly on the level of education and science.

“I always emphasize in my speeches: both villages and cities should have modern schools that provide children with equal access to quality education,” he said.

Over the past seven years, 1,342 schools have been built in Kazakhstan, providing more than one million student places.

AI to become part of school education

Tokayev said Kazakhstan is implementing a program to introduce AI-based lessons in secondary schools.

“The government should pay particular attention to this extremely important area of work,” he said, stressing that the introduction of new technologies should be carried out systematically.

He said AI could help reduce the administrative burden on teachers and allow them to devote more time to students.

“When used properly, new technologies will significantly facilitate teachers’ work and become a reliable tool that eliminates routine tasks. Teachers should have more time for mentoring and direct work with students,” Tokayev said.

Tokayev said he makes strengthening partnerships with leading universities a priority during his foreign visits. At least 30 branches of foreign universities now operate in the country, including Cardiff University, Coventry University, and universities from the United States, South Korea, Italy, Russia, China and France.

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