A solemn ceremony honoring the city's educators took place in Almaty on Teacher's Day. Almaty Akim Darkhan Satybaldy congratulated representatives of the teaching community on their professional holiday and presented state awards. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
"I sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday – Teacher's Day! Head of State Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, in his work 'Toward a Just Society — An Honest Word,' particularly noted the role of educators in society: 'The teaching community shapes a new quality of the nation. To be a teacher and to educate the younger generation is a sacred mission.' Today, as we enter the digital era, the demands on our teachers are also increasing. Artificial intelligence is developing, technologies are constantly being updated, and professions are changing. But the Teacher, who instills in a child knowledge and the desire for development, wisdom and moral values, will always occupy a special place in society," said the Akim of Almaty.
He also noted that more than 42,000 educators currently work in the city's education system. Almaty teachers continue the traditions of the city's outstanding educators. Ayagul Torekyzy Mirazova became the first educator to be awarded the high title of "Qazaqstannyn Enbek Eri." In 2024, this high title was awarded to Gulzhanar Moldakerimkyzy Nurpeisova, a mathematics teacher at boarding school No. 4. Today, 16 educators in Almaty hold the honorary title of "Honored Teacher of Kazakhstan."
"This is a concrete result of the work of Almaty's strong pedagogical school, the continuity of professional traditions and the high prestige of the teaching profession," emphasized Darkhan Satybaldy.
For special services to the state and significant achievements in the field of education, four Almaty educators were awarded the Order of "Qurmet."
The state award recognized Sabyr Tuyakbayev — a physics teacher at the Republican Physics and Mathematics School with 53 years of work experience; labor veteran Toktar Abaylda, who has devoted 50 years to the education system; Elmira Abdirasylova, a primary school teacher at Gymnasium No. 138, whose work experience is 37 years; and Alma Seksenova, a speech therapist teacher at Special Boarding School No. 7, who has worked in education for 33 years.
The medal "Eren Enbegi Ushin" was awarded to Natalya Zubenko, an English teacher at General Education School No. 87, who has devoted 47 years to teaching.
Five more educators received Letters of Gratitude from the city akim. Among them are Zhibek Svanbayeva, head of the department at the "Almaty Daryny" center; Gulnafis Dauletbayeva, deputy director of Specialized Lyceum No. 178; Nurgul Zhumanbek, a Kazakh language and literature teacher at School-Gymnasium No. 136; Susanna Zeynalova, an English teacher at School-Gymnasium No. 44; and Damen Sagatbek, a mathematics teacher at School-Gymnasium No. 174.
A separate part of the ceremony was the awarding of the winners of the annual city competition among young educators, "Almaty Ustazy – 2026." Seven of the city's best educators received the opportunity to undergo an international internship in China. Among them are teachers of history, geography, biology, Kazakh language and literature, physics, English and chemistry from Almaty schools.
The Grand Prix of the "Almaty Ustazy – 2026" competition was won by Myktybek Tanirbergen Bakytzhanuly, a chemistry teacher at Specialized Lyceum No. 92. The winner was presented with a certificate for 5 million tenge and a certificate for an international internship in China.
In total, seven educators representing different subject areas and schools of the city reached the final of the competition. Supporting young specialists, enhancing the prestige of the teaching profession and creating opportunities for the professional development of educators remain among the priority areas of Almaty's education system.