Current issues of teacher education were discussed

On February 23, 2022, the meeting of the deputy of Mazhilis of the Parliament of RK Zhuldyz Suleimenova, Akim of Medeu district Aset Masabayev, Rector of Abai KazNPU Darkhan Bilyalov and representatives of Almaty Education Department with school principals took place at Gymnasium No 159 named after Y.Altynsarin.

Zh. Suleimenova and A. Masabayev briefly talked about the legislative activities of Parliament and the instructions of the President of the RK to the Deputy Corps concerning education of the country. They discussed the current issues of teacher shortage, problems of inclusive education, improvement of teachers` level, the quality of textbooks, elimination of gap in education between urban and rural areas. The participants raised pressing issues concerning schools and kindergartens, their managers and staff.

Darkhan Bilyalov thanked school principals for their contribution to the development of education, assistance in professional development of Abai University students and graduates and their employment. The Rector said that the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan pays great attention to the urgent issues in the field of teacher education: staff shortage, the gap in the education of urban and rural schools, raising the status of teachers and their qualifications. He stressed the importance of solving one of the tasks assigned to Abai University - to develop specific education programs. According to him, this work is carried out in three main directions: innovativeness, practice-orientation and involvement, briefly describing each of them.

The Rector shared his plans to strengthen ties with schools. Thus, the University-Schools project will focus on expanding the direct (high-quality training of school teachers) and indirect (training of school applicants with a high level of knowledge) interaction between the parties. This includes the formation of a talent pool of highly professional and effective managers, talented leaders-executives, development of dual and inclusive education in the practice of Abai University.

The involvement of Abai University is aimed at solving specific problems of education in Almaty and the country as a whole. This work is based on the following principles: transparency, publicity, credibility, dialogue, relevance and scope of educational programs, efficiency and social engagement. In order to provide the country`s schools with successful young teachers, the University is working on a new Honors College project, which is applied in many higher education institutions around the world. The aim of the project is to provide students in teacher training with more in-depth knowledge and skills.

The rector also made other interesting suggestions on how to improve the quality of education and train highly qualified teachers.

In conclusion, Deputy Zhuldyz Suleimenova noted that she takes all the issues raised under her control and will put maximum effort to resolve them.