Kazakhstan to pilot new teacher certification rules from September 1
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Kazakhstan will pilot new teacher certification rules from September 1 to December, shifting assessment from test scores to daily work, lesson quality, and student outcomes. Teachers who failed to meet the threshold score or missed registration can join the pilot and retain their current category. The pilot will run on the Ustaz national platform, where professional data on teachers will be collected.
Key Facts
- The pilot will run from September 1 to December, not throughout the entire academic year.
- Teachers who failed to reach the threshold test score, did not register for the test, or are scheduled for regular or early certification can participate in the pilot.
- Professional data on teachers will be collected on the Ustaz national platform, including education, work experience, category, professional achievements, professional development, and student results.
- Essays, author programs, and teaching-methodological materials are no longer mandatory for certification.
- If a teacher does not pass certification, their current qualification level may be retained or lowered; for early certification to a higher category, the previous level remains valid until its expiration.
Pilot Scope and Participants
The new assessment approach will be applied only in pilot mode from September to December, not throughout the school year. The pilot includes teachers who did not achieve the threshold score on the test, those who registered but did not participate, those who did not register, and teachers undergoing regular or early certification. The goal is to evaluate teachers not only by test results but by daily work, lesson quality, student knowledge levels, and concrete achievements.
Assessment Criteria and Platform
Professional information about teachers will be aggregated on the Ustaz national platform, including education, work experience, category, professional achievements, professional development, and student outcomes. Essays, author programs, and teaching-methodological materials are no longer mandatory for submission. Test results will no longer be the main criterion in certification; even if a teacher does not reach the threshold score, they can participate in the pilot and retain their current category. The main focus will be on lesson quality, the teacher's professional achievements and development, and student success, though student achievement is not the sole indicator.
Category Retention and Salary Impact
If a teacher fails certification, their current qualification level may be retained or lowered. If a teacher does not pass early certification for a higher category, the previous level remains in force until its expiration date. To retake certification, a teacher must correct deficiencies and wait for the next certification period. Qualification level affects salary: in state educational organizations, teacher-moderators receive a 30% supplement, teacher-experts 35%, teacher-researchers 40%, and teacher-masters 50%. Actual salary is calculated based on teaching load, work experience, and other allowances.
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Kazakhstan to pilot new teacher certification rules from September 1
