The Hidden "System" in Educational Institutions
Parents of students at Karakol School No. 7 have reported on the situation regarding the "system" that has developed in their institution. They claim that high school students organize groups, demand money from younger students, and also use physical force. One mother recorded an appeal to the head of the State National Security Committee, Kamchybek Tashiev.***
14-year-old Annas Aitbaev, an 8th-grade student at School No. 72 in the "Jal" microdistrict, was hospitalized on January 22 and died on February 4. School authorities claim that the boy's injuries were sustained as a result of a fall in the restroom, but his parents believe he was a victim of beating by older students who extorted money from him and his classmates.***
On February 12, a fight broke out among students at School No. 39 in the village of Manas, resulting in the death of one of the ninth-graders. An 11th-grade student detained in connection with this incident has been placed in a pre-trial detention center for two months.The First Comprehensive Study
Until recently, there were no systematic data on school violence. This year, the Ministry of Education conducted a large-scale study involving 500 students from grades 5 to 11 from 50 schools, as well as over 200 parents and educators.The results show that the most common form of aggression is insults and mockery: 165 participants reported instances of verbal bullying. Although physical violence, cyberbullying, and social exclusion occur less frequently, they are also part of school life.
Some children admitted that they are afraid to go to school due to fear of violence.
When asked about the reasons for bullying their peers, students noted the following factors:
- the desire to assert themselves;
- pressure from peers;
- problems at home;
- just a joke;
- discrimination;
- they don’t know.
Main Findings:
- The study revealed that the main risk factor is family dysfunction, including divorces and parental migration. The gap between the educational process and family is also significant: many parents, being migrants, do not participate in upbringing, and schools lack the means to influence them.
- Religious aspects also have an impact. For example, cases where girls are forbidden to attend school events or are required to wear headscarves negatively affect the school atmosphere, although imams preaching tolerance play a positive role.
- Moreover, many regions experience a shortage of school psychologists, and teachers and social workers are overwhelmed with paperwork and cannot conduct quality psychological work.
- Another conclusion: the installation of cameras and strict measures improve discipline in educational institutions but can lead to conflicts spilling out onto the streets and into the internet.
Opinions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Human Rights Defenders
Data from law enforcement agencies and human rights organizations confirm that school violence is not an isolated case of aggression in educational institutions but a systemic problem.According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in 2024, minors committed more than 1,500 crimes. About 3,600 children were registered with the juvenile delinquency prevention department.
A study by the Ombudsman Institute showed that over 70% of teenagers encountered hate speech on social media, and more than 60% in messaging apps, with 80% of such messages containing sexual undertones. Girls and women are more often victims of trolling, bullying, and blackmail.
According to the League of Child Rights Defenders, every second school student in the country faces bullying.
Psychological pressure, extortion, and "dedovshchina" have become part of the everyday life of teenagers.
Increased Risks for Children
Asel Chynbaeva, the Commissioner for Children's Rights, believes that the child protection system is not ready for new challenges.“We are in a situation where the child rights protection system is facing modern challenges. Society is changing, and with it, the dangers are changing. Despite the tightening of legislation, violence will remain one of the most serious problems in 2025. An analysis of the situation shows that we face serious challenges, such as the spread of online violence, destructive content, and cyberbullying,” she asserts.
Problems in Schools and at Home
Minister of Education Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva emphasizes that the ministry is taking measures, but without active parental involvement, they are insufficient.“The 'Kundoluk' system has introduced a function for reporting cases of violence. In six months, more than 2,500 children submitted appeals, which were forwarded to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education. If measures had not been taken in a timely manner, the statistics on school violence could have been even higher. Currently, 80% of schools are equipped with video surveillance, monitoring, and preventive measures are being carried out. We are capable of controlling the situation in educational institutions. But how many parents have been held accountable for improper treatment of children or negligence in their upbringing?” the minister noted.
Asel Chynbaeva emphasizes that parents also need support. She reported that this year she communicated extensively with parents across the country and learned that they do not know how to establish contact with their children. Surveys show that difficulties in communicating with adults seriously affect the mental health of teenagers.
“It was surprising to me that parents are asking for help, as many of them admit that they cannot start a conversation with their children, and there is no communication in the family. Children sometimes report suicidal thoughts when they feel misunderstood. Parents also need to be trained in how to communicate with their children because it is not their fault. There are many factors that increase the distance between children and adults,” says Chynbaeva.
What to Do Next?
Asel Chynbaeva believes it is important to enhance the digital literacy of parents, educators, and the children themselves.“Forced migration and emotional burnout among adults increase risks for family well-being. Problems in interaction between schools, medical institutions, law enforcement agencies, and the prosecutor's office lead to inadequate responses to emerging issues. The lack of psychologists, crisis centers, and mobile groups reduces the possibilities for long-term rehabilitation of children and increases the risk of repeated violence. It is extremely important to develop support infrastructure and provide systematic assistance for children in difficult situations,” she concludes.
