Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 1 September 2020, in Kazakhstan, the new academic year began in full-time and remote formats at the same time. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, more than 7,000 schools have started work, 3,000 of which operate in the traditional regime (mainly rural schools). At the same time, out of 3 million more than 2.5 million students began their studies in a distance format.

At the same time, when organizing distance education, the government faced a number of problems that caused widespread resonance and discontent in society.

Firstly, insufficient or outdated material and technical base. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, there are on average 10 students per computer in the country (the global indicator of computerization is no more than 5 people). On average in the country, 30% of school computers require replacement (in rural schools - up to 80%). At the same time, 24 thousand teachers and 185 thousand schoolchildren do not have computers.

Secondly, unstable and limited access to the Internet and online resources. It is emphasized that only 59% of schools are provided with high-speed Internet. Despite the fact that the authorities say that in 90% of schools the speed is higher than 4 Mb / s, according to Factcheck.kz, the actual speed varies in the range of 1-1.5 Mb / s. At the same time, 2 thousand teachers and 30% of students completely lack access to the Internet.

Third, low digital literacy and limited specialized skills. According to a WB study, 54% of Kazakhstani students do not have the necessary skills to use digital technologies in education. In turn, UNICEF experts note that "the majority of Kazakhstani teachers, due to the lack of computer skills and experience, could not organize online lessons at the proper level."

In general, experts conclude, despite the presence of a number of problems, the current sanitary and epidemiological situation forces the authorities to organize distance learning. At the same time, the government voices its intentions to gradually resolve issues with the modernization of the material and technical base of educational institutions. In particular, Prime Minister A. Mamin instructed to provide more than 500 thousand children with computer equipment as soon as possible.