Rural School Powered by NIS

The project aims for the comprehensive development of schools by introducing modern teaching technologies and creating comfortable, functional conditions for the educational process.

In Kazakhstan, about 67% of schools are located in rural areas, and their condition significantly lags behind urban educational institutions. The outflow of the rural population exacerbates this issue, leading to a decline in student numbers, a decrease in education quality, and a widening gap between urban and rural schools. A 2019 analysis revealed that insufficient school equipment, limited learning resources, and a lack of modern teaching methods create significant barriers to the development of rural areas.

AITAS Holding and its founder, Serik Tolukpayev, recognized the importance of addressing these imbalances. Understanding that sustainable national development is impossible without the advancement of rural areas, a strategic decision was made to focus on improving the quality of life in these regions. Education was chosen as the key area for the foundation’s work, as it serves as the cornerstone of social stability, equal opportunities, and personal development. This led to the creation of the "Rural School Powered by NIS" project, which initially supported three schools in the East Kazakhstan and Akmola regions, including two in the Katon-Karagay district. Serik Tolukpayev and AITAS Holding provided financial support to upgrade the infrastructure of all five educational institutions.

However, it was clear that improving education quality required not only material but also methodological support. Thus, an agreement was reached with Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) to provide free methodological assistance and share their expertise. The effectiveness of this approach enabled the project to scale up.