Pupils can easily reach their educational institutions on foot
In the heart of Kazakhstan, a significant initiative called the "Comfortable School" project is transforming the educational landscape. The project, aimed at improving school infrastructure and promoting inclusive education, is expected to commission at least 740,000 new pupil places by 2026 [4].
The project's inception is rooted in the rapid urban development and growing social infrastructure needs, particularly in cities like Astana. As Kazakhstan witnesses demographic growth and urbanization, existing educational facilities struggle with capacity, quality, and inclusivity [4][1]. The "Comfortable School" project seeks to address these challenges by ensuring schools can accommodate rising student numbers and provide modern, comfortable learning spaces.
Abdukerim ARSHAMOV, the director of the company's capital division, discusses the project, emphasizing its importance in addressing the acute issue of insufficient spaces in schools in Astana [2]. Videos of crowded school corridors have become common online, highlighting the urgency of the situation [3].
The schools within the "Comfortable School" project boast modern layouts, aesthetically pleasing facades, advanced equipment, and well-thought-out infrastructure. Notable features include wide corridors, workshops, STEM labs, robotics, up to four sports halls, interactive boards in every classroom, and an inclusive environment for children with special educational needs [5].
Each new school within the project features blocks for younger and older students, separated to enhance safety. The technical equipment in these schools is 4 times better than typical equipment, ensuring a high-quality learning experience [6].
The project is overseen by AO "Samruk-Kazyna Construction", the unified directorate for construction projects nationwide. The director of the company emphasizes that a school is an investment in the future, and the new school within walking distance is an investment in the future of Astana and the country as a whole [1].
The speaker believes that if they want a strong country, they must start with the school bench [7]. The new school within walking distance is crucial for addressing the issue of insufficient spaces in schools in Astana and ensuring safety, convenience, and equal access to quality education for thousands of children.
The "Comfortable School" project is a significant step towards qualitative changes in school infrastructure and aligns with broader efforts to transform and modernize the education system in Kazakhstan [3][5]. As new urban projects emerge in cities like Astana, the "Comfortable School" initiative is part of a migration towards better social services, lighting, and atmosphere that contribute to supportive educational environments.
- The "Comfortable School" project, in alignment with broader efforts for education system transformation in Kazakhstan, aims to provide modern learning spaces and addresses the issue of insufficient school places in Astana, promoting a lifestyle that ensures safety, convenience, and equal access to quality education.
- As part of the ongoing efforts to modernize Kazakhstan's education-and-self-development landscape, the project includes the construction of new schools equipped with advanced technology, aesthetically pleasing buildings, and inclusive environments for students, contributing to the general news story of urban renewal and improved social infrastructure in cities like Astana.
