Kazakhstan is one of the strongest states of the Eurasian continent not only in terms of geographical and geopolitical location. Infrastructure, social structure are developing. The great leap forward has been made in the field of education. One of the progressive innovations is the Nazarbayev Intellectual School.
How it all started
With the development of the country more and more diverse specialists are required. Kazakhstan as a progressive state is trying to educate its engineers and scientists on its own territory, inviting foreign experts. In 2008, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a decree on the organization of a specialized space for gifted children. So the first intellectual school of Nazarbayev was opened. It became an experimental site, where, first of all, new curricula were compiled, analysis was carried out, followed by introduction into the educational system. This kind of educational institution was completely independent, developing its examination requirements. It conducted its own control over student performance.
Intellectual schools of Nazarbayev are not inferior in technical equipment to the oldest European universities. Modern technologies, introduced into everyday life, have long been the hallmark of the project. The equipment is freely available to all students.
Specialized school makes excessive requirements for admission. The main emphasis is on knowledge in the physical, mathematical and natural sciences. Graduates are given the opportunity to continue their education at the best universities in the world.
School Department in Kostanay
In 2013, the construction of an intellectual school in Kostanay began. The educational institution was built in a year, and in 2014 it opened its doors for the first stream of students.
In Nazarbayev's intellectual schools (Kostanay), architects have provided all the smallest details. The school building has three floors, where not only classrooms are conveniently located. There is also a gym, a library with a rich book fund, a large assembly hall, which, according to the idea of engineers, can easily be transformed into a lecture hall. There is a large dining room.
The adjacent territory is equipped according to all European standards: physical education zone, territory for walking and recreation, educational and economic part.
Intellectual schools of Nazarbayev in Kostanay work with an in-depth study of mathematics, physics and chemistry. In addition, training is conducted in three languages: Russian, Kazakh and English, which is a unique method in international teaching practice.
Unique school in Almaty
In Almaty, the Nazarbayev Intellectual School opened in the summer of 2017. The educational institution is happy to accept students who are making progress in the chemical and biological field.
Unlike the Kostanay school, the Almaty branch has a more developed infrastructure and consists of seven training blocks. All classrooms for academic and extracurricular activities are equipped with the latest technology. Light durable furniture was purchased. All rooms are equipped with high speed internet.
The library deserves special attention. It consists of three rooms, each of which is equipped with computers and office equipment.
In the first year, competition for one study place was 9 people. This is one of the largest indicators in Kazakhstan. The school has the status of a boarding school, so comfortable campuses are provided for nonresident students.
It is noteworthy that the school has entered into several agreements with large Almaty universities, where graduates can enter on preferential terms.
Ust-Kamenogorsk Intellectual School
Another city that hosted a unique school was Ust-Kamenogorsk. This educational building differs from its brothers in a completely different architecture. Under one roof there are study rooms and bedrooms of a boarding school where students from other Kazakhstan cities live. This practice is rare among Kazakhstani schools.
Intellectual schools of Nazarbayev in Ust-Kamenogorsk are located on the left bank of the Irtysh River, which is a center of culture and entertainment. Leaving the walls of the school, you can take a walk to the regional drama theater, the Nurly Zhol park. Nearby is a mosque.
The educational institution of Ust-Kamenogorsk has a chemical and biological direction. All rooms are equipped with the necessary equipment, in the corridors for the entertainment of children there are chess tables and sofas on which you can relax and gather your thoughts.
The highlight of this school is the magnificent conservatory winter garden, where all students, under the guidance of specialists, can look after plants or just admire the flowers on frosty winter days.
Metropolitan Branch
The full name of the Astana school is: "The Intellectual School of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan." The president of the country directly participated in the opening of this educational institution.
Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Astana has a physical and mathematical bias. Applications for admission come from all over the country, but not all pass the difficult exam designed to identify gifted children. After all, the educational institution is aimed at educating highly qualified specialists who can compete on international platforms.
All classrooms are equipped with digital technology. In real time, students can view 3D images. Physics classrooms are equipped with modern appliances. An amazing detail is that each student of this school is equipped with a personal laptop with high-speed Internet access.
Immediate prospects
Such experience in organizing the educational process is not new. Foreign schools are arranged precisely on this principle. For Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev’s intellectual schools are a high indicator of state organization. In the future, the project will be expanded, it is planned to build another twenty such institutions throughout the country, and foreign teachers, theorists and practitioners will be involved. It is in these educational institutions that it is planned to forge unique personnel who will work for the benefit of their native country. Therefore, the responsibility now is very big.