Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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English Proficiency Index: Kazakhstan Still Among Least Fluent Countries

Kazakhstan ranks 103rd out of 116 countries in the 2024 EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI), improving by just one position from the previous year. Despite this slight progress, the country remains in the group of nations with very low English proficiency, according to Ranking.kz analysts. Leading the global rankings was the Netherlands, scoring 636 out of 700 points, followed by Norway, Singapore, Sweden, and Croatia. In the Eurasia region, Belarus and Russia performed best, achieving scores of 539 and 532 respectively, while Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan showed comparatively low results. Regional and Historical Context In Kazakhstan, the highest proficiency scores were recorded in Almaty (476 points) and the Almaty region (475 points), with Astana, Akmola, Kostanai, and Pavlodar regions also performing relatively well. Since Kazakhstan’s first appearance in the EF EPI rankings in 2011, where it ranked last among 44 participants, little progress has been made. Current scores remain similar to those recorded over a decade ago. Globally, English remains the most widely spoken language, with over 1.5 billion speakers in 2024, according to Ethnologue. The Cost of Learning English in Kazakhstan English education costs in Kazakhstan vary widely depending on the method of instruction: Individual lessons: Average 96,000 KZT ($182) for a course of 12 sessions. Private tutors: Range from 15,300 KZT ($29) to 54,000 KZT ($102) per month. Online tutors: Cost between 48,000 and 96,000 KZT ($91 to $182) monthly. AI-assisted classes: Start at 5,000 KZT ($9.5) and go up to 25,000 KZT ($47), depending on the number of assignments. Group lessons: Range from 36,000 KZT ($68) to 64,000 KZT ($121) for 12 lessons. In major cities, free courses and conversation clubs organized by libraries and language centers provide alternative learning opportunities. The low level of English proficiency in Kazakhstan continues to be a pressing issue, requiring systematic reforms. Analysts emphasize that improving the situation will demand enhanced educational programs, more accessible learning opportunities, and greater public engagement in mastering the language.

Education Technology UNESCO Artificial intelligence

Turkmenistan Explores Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Education

Turkmenistan has taken a significant step toward integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its education system by hosting a scientific and practical conference. Organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education, the event marked progress in implementing the goals outlined in the “Roadmap of Cooperation for 2024-2025.” Key Discussions The conference explored critical aspects of applying AI in education. Topics included the development of education management information systems, improving teachers’ digital literacy, and adapting cutting-edge technologies to Turkmenistan’s specific conditions. Participants also presented a draft strategy for the development of AI in education and highlighted international platforms already in use in this field. Special emphasis was placed on the competencies required for both teachers and students to effectively work with AI. Experts noted that fostering such skills is essential in an increasingly digitalized society and workplace. They stressed that equipping young people with AI-related knowledge could significantly enhance their future professional prospects. Practical Implementation and Examples Turkmenistan is already incorporating AI into educational initiatives. A notable example was presented on October 4 in Ashgabat, where Selin Ataeva, a 12th-grade student at the Swiss School of Dubai and leader of a startup development team, showcased an AI-driven math learning platform. This innovative software adopts a personalized approach to education, catering particularly to students in rural and remote regions. By optimizing the learning process and improving access to quality education, the platform exemplifies the transformative potential of AI in bridging educational gaps. As Turkmenistan advances toward integrating AI into its education system, the conference highlighted the importance of aligning technology with local needs and preparing students and teachers for a digitally driven future. With initiatives like Ataeva’s math learning platform, the country demonstrates a commitment to using AI to enhance education accessibility and efficiency.

Education Children UNICEF Elementary School

Turkmenistan Implements Gender-Sensitive Pedagogy in Education

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has introduced new training materials on gender-sensitive pedagogy. The initiative aims to foster an inclusive educational environment that addresses the individual needs of children while enhancing the skills of professionals in education, healthcare, and social protection. The materials are tailored for teachers, parents, and students, focusing on promoting gender-sensitive approaches in schools, kindergartens, and family settings. By equipping professionals with tools and strategies for inclusive practices, the program seeks to create a fair and equitable educational system for all children. An orientation session for professionals working with children and families was recently held in Ashgabat. The event highlighted methodologies for integrating gender mainstreaming into education, with participants from educational institutions exploring new approaches and discussing their practical application. Alexandru Nartea, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Turkmenistan, underscored the significance of this initiative. “Integrating gender-sensitive approaches into the educational system is a vital step toward establishing a supportive environment that meets the needs of every child,” Nartea said. He added that the effort not only empowers educators but also helps shape societal values rooted in equality and inclusion.

Education Parliament Children Digital Service Schools AI Legislation

Kazakhstan Considers Restrictions on AI Use by Students

Kazakh Member of Parliament Magerram Magerramov has proposed limiting the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools by schoolchildren. According to Magerramov, these technologies can complete school assignments, write essays, and summarize texts, which undermines students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “We risk raising a generation that cannot make quick decisions in complex situations. This threatens the intellectual potential of the country,” the MP warned. Magerramov highlighted global efforts to regulate artificial intelligence as potential models. The European Parliament recently passed legislation to control AI usage, while Australia and some U.S. states have implemented age restrictions for social networks. “Digital technologies should foster development, not hinder it. Thoughtful regulation is essential,” he stated, urging limits on generative AI in schools to mitigate negative impacts. Globally, nations are grappling with the integration of AI in education. UNESCO has called on governments to train teachers in the responsible use of generative AI and issued guidelines for its application in schools. In China, strict internet censorship laws limit access to ChatGPT, effectively restricting its use in education. Meanwhile, Russia is exploring pedagogical, linguistic, and psychological frameworks for regulating AI in higher education. In Australia and parts of the U.S., age restrictions on social media may indirectly influence students’ access to AI tools.

Education Science Digital Technologies Artificial intelligence Language Teaching AI

AI in Central Asia: Kazakhstan Unveils Multilingual GPT Model

Researchers at the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University in Astana have introduced ISSAI KAZ-LLM, a large language model (LLM) specifically designed for the Kazakh language. Built on advanced neural network technology, the model serves as the foundation for Kazakhstan’s version of a generative AI system similar to GPT. ISSAI KAZ-LLM is tailored to Kazakhstan’s multilingual and multicultural environment, supporting Kazakh, Russian, and English, with additional functionality for Turkish. The model addresses language barriers and advances the field of generative artificial intelligence for resource-limited languages. The development team processed and synthesized over 150 billion tokens to ensure high-performance language capabilities. Beyond creating an AI tool, the project also fostered local expertise, involving Kazakhstani researchers at every stage, from data preparation to model implementation. Collaboration with international institutes enabled the creation of language-specific datasets and comparative analysis tools, utilizing input from linguists and state-of-the-art machine translation techniques. KAZ-LLM has a wide range of applications, including Kazakh language translations, content generation, and bulk text processing. Training data was sourced exclusively from publicly available materials, such as Kazakh websites, news articles, and online libraries, supplemented by contributions from various organizations. ISSAI director, Prof. Hussain Atakan Varol, told The Times of Central Asia: “This model reflects Kazakhstan's commitment to innovation, self-reliance, and the growth of its technology ecosystem. Our team developed two versions of ISSAI KAZ-LLM: one with 8 billion parameters and another with 70 billion parameters. Both are built on the Meta Llama architecture, optimized for use on high-performance systems as well as resource-constrained environments. Released under a CC-BY-NC license, the models are available for non-commercial use on the Hugging Face platform.” The ISSAI team is already exploring next-generation AI systems, including language-vision models, while expanding support for additional Turkic and regional languages. These initiatives aim to strengthen regional ties, promote linguistic integration, and create substantial economic and technological opportunities in Kazakhstan and beyond. Remarkably, this groundbreaking development was accomplished without government funding, with significant contributions from Kazakhstani IT companies. Kazakhstan is also gearing up to launch the International Center for Artificial Intelligence alem.ai. The center is set to become a hub for transforming the country into an AI-driven economy, fostering innovation, attracting investments, and supporting startups. By 2029, the export of Kazakhstani AI solutions is expected to reach $5 billion.

Education Human rights Regulation Local politics Schools internal affairs

Turkmenistan Bans Students from Celebrating New Year’s Eve

Authorities in Turkmenistan have imposed strict measures preventing students and schoolchildren from celebrating New Year’s Eve, requiring them to sign written pledges to abstain from festivities. Students are prohibited from hosting or attending parties at home or in cafes and are barred from being outdoors during the celebration. “Students have been forced to write forms stating they will not celebrate New Year’s Eve and will return to their dormitories after attending official events,” a source revealed. Violations of the ban are met with threats of expulsion. According to reports, older students in previous years were expelled for secretly hosting parties, serving as a warning to others. Similar restrictions are being enforced in schools across Ashgabat, where festive parties have been banned following an order from the Ministry of Education. Teachers have been instructed to ensure compliance with these regulations. Paradoxically, official state media in Turkmenistan are showcasing large-scale New Year preparations, including the lighting of the “Main Christmas Tree of the Country” on December 14. Despite the visible holiday decorations, New Year celebrations remain tightly controlled. Last year, schools and kindergartens canceled New Year events, and state institutions were prohibited from installing Christmas trees. Local analysts attribute these stringent measures to the conservative policies of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. Unlike his father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who was known for extravagant celebrations and even personal performances at New Year’s events, Serdar has opted for a more restrained and controlled approach. The restrictions reflect the growing emphasis on regulation and conformity under Turkmenistan’s current leadership, casting a shadow over what was once a more festive and unifying holiday.