From Dream to Reality: FSD Education Projects Now Cover All Rural Areas of Kazakhstan – Serik Tolukpaev
For me, education is more than just a professional field—it is a deeply personal story. My grandfather was one of the first teachers in the Katon-Karagai district of East Kazakhstan, and my parents also dedicated their lives to teaching. Although fate led me down a different path, my commitment to contributing to the development of education remains deeply ingrained in my DNA.
Growing up in a rural area, I saw firsthand how children from remote regions lack the opportunities available to their urban peers. This educational gap weighed heavily on me—I felt deeply for rural children who were deprived of the resources they deserved. That is why I have always seen my mission as creating a comfortable learning environment and ensuring access to quality education for all students in Kazakhstan, regardless of where they live.
For six years now, since 2019, our foundations have been successfully implementing projects aimed at advancing education in Kazakhstan. Leading this effort is the Fund for Sustainable Development of Education.
I firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of our nation's independence and prosperity. Without it, we cannot build a modern economy, advance science and culture, or safeguard our sovereignty.
In recent years, we have achieved what once seemed like a distant dream—our projects now cover all rural districts of Kazakhstan. As part of the Development of the Potential of Rural Anchor Schools initiative, 56 schools were modernized this year. Additionally, pilot projects such as Otpan and Developing the Potential of Small Rural Schools Through Digital Technologies have already begun showing tangible results. This is not just a milestone for FSD Education—it is a significant achievement for the entire country.
In 2025, we plan to complete the modernization of educational infrastructure and continue initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between rural and urban education.
One of our key priorities for the coming years is the creation of an independent system for assessing the quality of education. This will provide an objective evaluation of students' knowledge and help identify areas for improvement.
Equally important to us is the establishment of a strong ideological foundation for education. In today’s world, where the focus is often solely on knowledge and skills, we believe it is crucial to emphasize ethical values and character development.
A special place in our work is held by the Bizdin Bolashak project. This program unites the vision of children and civil society in shaping the future we strive for. Through the Connected conference and other platforms, we are creating a roadmap for the next 20–30 years.
I believe that by staying true to our principles and working together, we can turn bold dreams into reality and achieve remarkable results. Together, we are building a future where everyone has equal opportunities for growth and success.
With respect,
Founder of the Fund for Sustainable Development of Education
CEO of AITAS Holding
Serik Tolukpaev
In recent years, there has been a significant outflow of people from rural areas. Why are people leaving villages? The primary reason is the lack of comfortable living conditions. Sixty percent of those relocating are young people. For example, in the Aktobe region alone, 17,000 people moved out of rural areas in 2020–2021. However, even when people leave, the problems of rural areas do not disappear—on the contrary, the situation worsens. Over time, schools shut down, infrastructure deteriorates, and eventually, villages cease to exist. Each year, 75 rural schools are closed across the country.
