Parents Express Concerns
The situation at the school raises serious concerns among parents. Due to the change in status and the loss of the lyceum component, many experienced teachers have left the institution.Since the beginning of September, there has been no mathematics and natural science teacher in the fifth grades. A mathematics teacher was only found after two months, while classes in natural science were not held for two entire quarters.
One parent emphasizes: "Imagine, in a lyceum specializing in mathematics, there was no mathematics teacher! And natural science is the foundation for further study of STEM disciplines, which are so often talked about in the Ministry of Education. But lessons in this subject have not been conducted for the second quarter already. Moreover, there are no classes in biology, geography, and history in the sixth grades. We have lost the only physics and mathematics school in the country."
According to parents, the school needs to recruit teachers for:
- geography;
- computer science;
- drafting;
- technology;
- history;
- natural science;
- Russian language and literature.
Funding Opportunities
Some parents are willing to help with additional payments to teachers through a charitable foundation, but they do not understand how to do this within the framework of the law, given the adoption of the law prohibiting the collection of money in schools.According to parents, "Many are willing to pay extra to ensure quality education for their children. There is also a community of alumni who are ready to support their alma mater. But we do not know how to do this legally. We are afraid that a complaint from one parent could lead to negative consequences for everyone, especially for the teachers."
School Administration's Opinion
School principal Roza Jumalieva confirmed the existence of staffing issues, but noted that new specialists are being attracted to the institution. As of December 6, the school is only short three teachers — for drafting, technology, and geography.Changes in Admission Rules
According to the principal, despite losing its status, the school continues to receive additional funding for the lyceum component until 2027. However, this does not prevent teachers from moving to private institutions, where they are offered higher salaries and better working conditions."For example, a physics teacher left for a private school. We found a computer science teacher, but she only works part-time," the principal added.
Moreover, the admission rules have changed. Previously, enrollment was based on testing, but now it is conducted on general terms: through electronic registration and by place of residence. This has contributed to an increase in the number of students: while in previous years around 2,000 children studied at the school, this academic year the number of students has risen to 3,117.
Principal Jumalieva acknowledges that both students and teachers are experiencing the consequences of the loss of status.
She says: "Graduates of this year received certificates of completion of a general secondary school. This upset many, as they studied for 11 years at the Author Physics and Mathematics School-Lyceum."
According to her, the Ministry of Education assured that in the future School No. 61 and other educational institutions with in-depth study of subjects will be able to obtain a new status. However, the exact timelines and content of the new status remain unknown for now.
