Kazakhstan enters top 10 leading countries in academic knowledge in mathematics and science – Ministry of Education and Science

At a government session chaired by Prime Minister Askar Mamin, measures were considered to improve the position of Kazakhstan in international ratings.

Minister of Education and Science Askhat Aymagambetov reported that Kazakhstan participates in 5 comparative studies in secondary education, the main ones are the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

“At PIRLS, we are at 27th place in terms of understanding text and reading literacy. In TIMSS we are one of the best and included the top 10 leading countries in academic knowledge in mathematics and science,” said the minister of education and science.

In order to teach schoolchildren to apply the knowledge gained, schools have been introducing updated content in 2016 aimed at developing critical thinking and skills.

In the Global Competitiveness Index, the Ministry of Education and Science has eight indicators. The ranking includes a total of 140 countries.

“Among them, in terms of quality of vocational education, Kazakhstan rose by 11 positions (from 102 to 92 places), on ‘critical thinking in teaching’ — by 1 position (from 46th to 45th place) compared to 2017. In terms of ‘expected duration of education’ (53rd place) and ‘citation of publications’ (110th place), the country retained previous positions,” Aimagambetov informed.

The main ratings in higher education are QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

According to the minister, Kazakhstan has positive dynamics in QS, in 2011, five universities were rated, in 2019 — 10 universities. Al-Farabi KazNU occupies the leading position among Kazakh universities in the ranking — 207th place (top 300). The top 500 included 2 universities: ENU (418), Auezov SKSU (491).

In addition, in 2018, for the first time, two Kazakh universities (Al-Farabi KazNU, Gumilyov ENU) were recognized by the rating publication Times Higher Education.

In general, as noted by the Minister of Education, work to improve the position of Kazakhstan in international rankings in terms of improving the quality, accessibility of education and science will continue in the framework of the State Program for the Development of Education and Science and other systemic measures.

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