Kazakhstan may revoke licenses of private schools allowing hijabs

September 8, 2026 at 01:02 PM2 min

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Kazakhstan's Education Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova said private schools could lose their licenses for allowing students to wear hijabs. She said no such schools remain at the start of this academic year, after some operated last year. The ministry is also reviewing a possible return to an 11-year school format, with a decision expected in January 2027.

Key Facts

Education Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova said private schools allowing hijabs could lose their licenses.
Suleimenova stated that no schools permitting hijabs remained at the start of the 2026 academic year, after some operated in the previous year.
A special commission is reviewing a possible transition from 12-year to 11-year schooling, with a decision expected in January 2027.
Suleimenova noted that 88% of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) graduates finish at age 18, and some students transfer to public schools after 10th grade.

Hijab Policy Enforcement

At a government briefing, Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova was asked whether allowing hijabs in some private schools aligned with ministry policy. She confirmed that such cases existed last year, including in private schools, but said none remained at the start of the current academic year. Suleimenova said the ministry works with the National Security Committee and a large commission that includes akims and local executive bodies. She added that schools found violating the uniform policy could lose their licensing.

11-Year School Format Review

On September 8, 2026, Suleimenova announced that a special commission is examining the alignment of school programs with the new Constitution's single education standard. She said 88% of NIS students graduate at age 18, and there is a trend of parents and students leaving NIS after 10th grade for general education schools. The ministry sees a need to revise 12-year education and move all programs, including international ones, to an 11-year format. A final decision is likely in 2027, with Suleimenova saying she expects an announcement in January 2027.