An Almaty teacher has claimed that educators are being involved in cleaning the school before the start of the academic year. She posted a video of herself washing windows and says that refusing such work could affect the number of teaching hours. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
The woman said that teachers come to work in August and prepare the premises for the new school year. In the published footage, the woman is washing a school window herself.
According to the teacher, if one refuses such work, educators fear possible consequences from the administration — in particular, a reduction in hours. The woman also claims that previously teachers had to contribute their own money for school repairs.
Kursiv contacted the Almaty education department for comment. After the request, the department formed a special monitoring group that went to the school.
"As part of the inspection, a survey will be conducted among the teaching staff and administrative and economic personnel of the school to clarify all circumstances and verify information about the possible involvement of teachers in work not provided for by their labor duties," the department commented.
They noted that the results of the inspection and possible measures will be reported additionally. The head of the education department took the situation under personal control.
Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, the issue of protecting teachers from duties not typical of them has been repeatedly raised at the state level. The Law "On the Status of a Teacher" provides restrictions on involving teachers in types of work that do not relate to their professional duties.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has also repeatedly demanded respect for the rights of teachers and not to distract them from their main work.