General Characteristics of the Law
The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Education" is a fundamental regulatory act governing the education system in the country. It defines:
• levels of education,
• principles of state policy,
• rights and duties of participants in the educational process,
• financing mechanisms,
• requirements for educational organizations,
• issues of quality and control.
The document forms the legal basis for the entire system: from preschool education to higher and postgraduate education.
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Main Principles of State Policy in the Field of Education
The law enshrines key principles:
1. Accessibility of education for all citizens.
2. Equality of rights regardless of gender, nationality, language, social status.
3. Secular nature of education.
4. Priority of personality development.
5. Integration of education, science, and production.
6. Academic freedom of educational organizations.
For a teacher, this means the right to work within approved standards but with the possibility to choose methods and pedagogical approaches.
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Levels of Education
The law defines the following levels:
• Preschool upbringing and training
• Primary education
• Basic secondary education
• General secondary education
• Technical and vocational education
• Post-secondary education
• Higher and postgraduate education
For schools, the key are the norms regulating secondary education.
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State Mandatory Educational Standards (SMES)
The law establishes the requirement to comply with state standards.
SMES define:
• the volume of the study load,
• requirements for learning outcomes,
• mandatory subjects,
• evaluation criteria.
A teacher is obliged to comply with the standards but has the right to choose the methodological tools to achieve results.
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Rights of Students
The law guarantees students:
• the right to receive quality education,
• the right to respect for human dignity,
• protection from physical and psychological violence,
• participation in the management of the educational organization,
• access to information about learning outcomes.
This imposes on schools and teachers the duty to provide a safe educational environment.
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Duties of Students
• diligently master the curriculum,
• comply with internal regulations,
• respect teachers and other students,
• take care of school property.
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Rights of Teaching Staff
The law provides the teacher with the right:
• to protect professional honor and dignity,
• to freely choose teaching methods,
• to advance professional qualifications,
• to participate in the management of the organization,
• to safe working conditions,
• to social guarantees.
A teacher has the right to refuse assignments unrelated to professional duties.
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Duties of Teachers
• to effectively implement educational programs,
• to observe pedagogical ethics,
• to ensure protection of life and health of students,
• to improve professional qualifications,
• to respect children's rights.
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Inclusive Education
The law enshrines the state's obligations to provide access to education for children with special educational needs.
Educational organizations are required to create conditions:
• adapted programs,
• support by specialists,
• barrier-free environment.
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Quality Control of Education
Quality is ensured through:
• state certification,
• licensing,
• monitoring of student achievements,
• internal quality assessment systems.
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Liability
Violation of education legislation may entail:
• disciplinary,
• administrative,
• civil law liability.
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What is Important for a Teacher to Know
1. You cannot be assigned work unrelated to teaching (without legal grounds).
2. Pedagogical ethics are mandatory.
3. Duty to protect children's rights.
4. Right to professional development.
5. Right to participate in school management.