Education and Schools in Kazakhstan

The quality of public schools and education in Kazakhstan varies. The country has a literacy rate of close to 100 percent, but due to historic underfunding, local schools may have a shortage of facilities and teachers. In addition, teaching is done in local languages.

For these reasons, most expats prefer to send their children to Kazakhstan's international schools, most of which are based in Almaty and Astana (previously Nur-Sultan).

Public schools in Kazakhstan

Education in Kazakhstan is divided into three stages: primary school, lower secondary school and higher secondary school. Tuition for state schools is free for citizens and residents. Classes are taught in either Russian or Kazakh. For this reason, most expat families opt for international schooling unless they are planning to stay in the country long term.

Those who decide to make use of the country's public school system should be aware that school is typically run in two sessions a day, with one session held in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Each child attends only one of the sessions daily, although some schools have homework programmes that allow learners to stay at school while their parents are at work.

International schools in Kazakhstan

Expats who are concerned that sending their child to an international school in Kazakhstan will cut them off from the local culture needn't worry, as many of Kazakhstan's international schools are favoured by well-off local families and other expats. Popular curricula on offer include the International Baccalaureate, as well as the British and American curricula.

There is often a high demand for spaces in international schools, so expats should apply as far in advance as possible. Schools should be contacted directly for information about application requirements and processes.

International schools typically have hefty fees, so expats should ensure they're able to fit this into their budget.