More Than 380,000 Children to Start First Grade in Kazakhstan in New School Year
More than 380,000 children are expected to start first grade in Kazakhstan in the new school year. Around 320,000 children have already been enrolled in schools, representing approximately 84% of the projected total, the Ministry of Education of Kazakhstan said.
Around 296,000 children will attend state schools, while another 23,000 are expected to study at private schools. About 191,000 first-graders have been enrolled in urban schools and around 128,000 in rural schools. Nearly 4,000 of those enrolled are children with special educational needs.
More than 71% of future first-graders have chosen classes taught in Kazakh, over 26% have opted for Russian-language classes, and around 2.5% will study in classes taught in other languages. More than 2,000 children from other ethnic groups have also enrolled in Kazakh-language classes.
The largest number of first-graders is expected in the Turkistan Region, with more than 50,000 children. More than 35,000 are expected in the Almaty Region, 33,000 in Astana, more than 31,000 in Almaty and more than 29,000 in Shymkent.
Applications will be accepted until 31 August 2026. Parents can submit applications through the eGov.kz portal, the eGov Mobile app or directly to their chosen school. According to the Ministry of Education, around 84% of applications have been submitted online.
The ministry has advised parents not to delay submitting their documents.
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Space Days Kazakhstan 2026 Brings Global Space Experts Together in Astana
Images | MAIDD RK
The international Space Days Kazakhstan 2026 forum has opened in Astana, bringing together representatives of government agencies, international organisations, space agencies, the scientific community, technology companies and investors, according to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
The forum focuses on the development of the space industry, emerging technologies and their practical applications. Participants will also discuss international cooperation in space exploration.
Speaking at the opening, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev identified data, technology and talent as the three key areas for the development of Kazakhstan’s space industry.
"Three key priorities - data, technology and people - will enable Kazakhstan to develop competitive space products and services. We expect the forum to deliver practical results, concrete agreements and new joint projects," Madiyev said.
According to Madiyev, Kazakhstan plans to establish an international Earth observation satellite constellation comprising nine satellites by 2030. It will include six Kazakh satellites, as well as spacecraft from Mongolia, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria. The constellation could later be expanded to 14 satellites.
Kazakhstan is also working to replace the KazSat-3 satellite with a new spacecraft, KazSat-3R. The new satellite is expected to ensure the reliable operation of the country’s national satellite communications system and bring it in line with modern technological requirements.
On the first day of the forum, participants will discuss the role of satellite communications in ensuring digital sovereignty, the development of services based on satellite infrastructure, and the use of space-based data in water resource management.
Separate sessions will focus on the use of artificial intelligence in space systems, cooperation between regional space agencies, international space tourism and the outlook for the global space industry.
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Fair, art and nature: Flamingo Fest held in Korgalzhyn
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The second Flamingo Fest cultural and tourism festival was held in the village of Korgalzhyn in Akmola Region, the regional administration's press service reported.
The festival attracted visitors from across Akmola Region, Astana and other parts of the country. Guests explored the culture and natural heritage of the Korgalzhyn area and visited flamingo habitats.
The festival featured the Flamingo Art exhibition, showcasing works by artists from Akmola Region inspired by the region's natural landscapes. A fair of arts and crafts made by local artisans was also held.
One of the festival's main events was a series of excursions to flamingo habitats. Visitors were accompanied by guides and specialists from the nature reserve, who explained the features of the local ecosystem, the birds' habitats and the rules for visitors in protected natural areas.
Flamingo Fest was first held in Korgalzhyn District last year. The festival brings together culture, environmental education and tourism development. This year's event was the second edition.
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School in Karamanas village named after Rakhmetolla Raimkulov
Images | MFA RK
With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan, a ceremonial event was held in the village of Karamanas, Bostanlyk District, Tashkent Region, marking the beginning of the new academic year and the naming of Secondary School No. 34 after the outstanding Kazakh writer, playwright, translator, World War II veteran and public figure Rakhmetolla Raimkulov.
The event was held as part of the Forum of Writers of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, "The Spiritual Heritage of the Turkic World: Literature as a Dialogue Between Eras and Generations," which brought together representatives of the literary and cultural communities of the two countries. The forum served as another important platform for strengthening Kazakh-Uzbek cultural and humanitarian ties, preserving their shared spiritual heritage and expanding creative dialogue.
The school is located in the village of Karamanas, where the writer was born in 1913. Naming the educational institution after him demonstrated a commitment to preserving the shared historical and cultural heritage and strengthening friendship between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The ceremony was attended by Adviser to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan M. Otarbayev, Adviser to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kh. Sultanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Uzbekistan Yeraly Tugzhanov, President of the International Foundation for Turkic Culture and Heritage, Professor A. Raimkulova, as well as representatives of government bodies, the creative intelligentsia, the Writers’ Unions of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and prominent figures in culture and literature.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Yeraly Tugzhanov noted that this was not simply the opening of a school, but a reflection of the centuries-old shared history, culture and spiritual affinity of the Kazakh and Uzbek peoples.
The celebrations continued with the traditional First Bell ceremony and an open lesson entitled "Rakhmetolla Raimkulov: A Legacy that Unites Generations." As part of the event, the renovated school library and a memorial corner dedicated to R. Raimkulov were opened. The library collection was enriched with new editions of Kazakh and Uzbek literature.
Representatives of the Writers’ Unions of the two countries highlighted the important role of literature in preserving historical memory and developing humanitarian ties.
The First Bell marked the symbolic beginning of a new chapter: the writer’s name has returned to his native land, where it will live on in the memory and knowledge of future generations.
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Kazakhstan Celebrates First-Ever Tazy and Tobet Day
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Kazakhstan is marking the Day of the Kazakh Tazy and Tobet for the first time on Sept. 3, celebrating two national dog breeds that have accompanied people across the Great Steppe for centuries.
"The Tazy, as a national dog breed, is an integral part of our people’s cultural heritage and traditional way of life. It is one of the Seven Treasures (‘Zheti Kazyna’), symbolizing loyalty, agility and strength," presidential spokesman Aibek Smadiyarov said.
For centuries, the Tazy and Tobet have been companions to people on the Great Steppe. Tazys were traditionally used for hunting, while Tobets guarded livestock and property.
In recent years, Kazakhstan has stepped up efforts to preserve and develop its national dog breeds. The country adopted legislation on their preservation and breeding and became a full member of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
In 2024, the Tazy received preliminary international recognition, with Kazakhstan officially designated as the breed’s country of origin.
Kazakh Tazys now take part in major international dog shows, while the breeding base and number of breeders continue to grow.
According to the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, around 4,000 Tazys are currently registered in the unified studbook maintained by the Union of Cynologists of Kazakhstan. The actual number is believed to be higher, as some dogs in villages and remote areas are not yet covered by the centralized registration system.
Specialists continue to conduct breeding assessments across the country, collect information on the dogs’ ancestry and maintain records. The work is aimed at preserving the Tazy’s breed characteristics and genetic diversity.
The Kazakh Tazy is also gaining greater international exposure. In 2025, the breed was officially presented at the World Dog Show in Helsinki. In June 2026, Kazakhstan presented 12 Tazys at the World Dog Show in Bologna.
A National Center for Kazakh Dog Breeds is being built in the Zhetysu Region. The center will focus on keeping and breeding purebred dogs, maintaining a unified pedigree registry, training canine specialists, and hosting exhibitions, assessments, trials and competitions.
In February 2026, the government also approved a comprehensive plan for the preservation and breeding of Kazakh dog breeds for 2026-2036.
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From flamingos to books: Seven festivals to visit in Kazakhstan this September
A series of cultural, environmental and music events will take place across Kazakhstan in September as part of the country’s 2026 calendar of flagship tourism events, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.
The programme will begin with Flamingo Fest, to be held in the Akmola Region on September 5. The festival, which has been held since 2005, focuses on nature conservation and the protection of flamingo habitats. The programme includes concerts, exhibitions, family activities, meetings with experts and opportunities to observe flamingos in their natural habitat.
The Zhaiyk Sazy autumn arts festival will take place in the West Kazakhstan Region on September 12. Visitors can attend exhibitions, workshops, music and theatre performances, as well as meet artists and craftspeople.
Almaty will host two major events. Alma Fest, an annual festival celebrating the city’s famous Aport apple, will take place on September 20. The programme includes local produce fairs, workshops, concerts and tastings of apples and apple-based dishes.
KitapFest will follow on September 20-21, featuring a book fair, meetings with authors, a book exchange, children’s performances and workshops.
The international tourism festival Caspian - Sea of Friendship will be held in the Mangystau Region from September 24 to 28. Its programme includes forums, exhibitions, seminars and meetings with representatives from different countries.
On September 26, Pavlodar will host Ertis Promenade. Concerts, evening discos, open-air film screenings and outdoor fitness sessions are planned along the city’s Central Embankment.
The September programme will conclude with the Turkistan Craft Fair, which will take place in the Turkistan Region from September 26 to 28. The international crafts exhibition will bring together artisans from different countries and feature a handmade goods fair, workshops and concerts.
The ministry said the calendar of flagship events is designed to develop event tourism, promote the tourism potential of Kazakhstan’s regions and increase both domestic and inbound tourist flows.
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Kazakhstan Named One of World’s Top Three Wildlife Tourism Destinations
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An expedition to Kazakhstan’s steppes to observe saiga antelopes has ranked third in the international Wildlife Experience Index, ahead of snow leopard safaris in the Himalayas, polar bear expeditions in Svalbard and orangutan encounters in Borneo.
The index assessed 30 of the world’s most remarkable wildlife experiences. Each was evaluated according to six criteria: species rarity, remoteness, conservation impact, exclusivity, accessibility and the likelihood of seeing the animals in their natural habitat.
Kazakhstan’s saiga expedition scored 87 points out of 100. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda topped the ranking with 90 points, followed by an expedition to see emperor penguins in Antarctica with 88.5 points, Euronews reported, citing research by British travel company Bailey Robinson.
Kazakhstan’s high ranking was largely driven by the unique status of the saiga as an ancient relict species and the vast landscapes across which the animals roam.
The ranking also highlighted the growing importance of responsible ecotourism in destinations where observing rare species can help support conservation projects.
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