Preparing Lifetime Impact: Training Kazakhstan's Leaders Transforming Children's Futures
In the heartland of Karaganda, yesterday's IT whizzes and civil servants are today's educators, shaping young minds and spearheading impactful change. Welcome to the Teach for Qazaqstan (TFQ) program, a revolutionary initiative transforming schools across Karaganda for two years.
This global educational movement was born in New York in 2007 as Teach for All, a brainchild of Wendy Kopp and Brett Wigdor. Fast forward to 2023, it now spans 65 countries, with TFQ being one of its remarkable offshoots. This program empowers top university graduates to forgo corporate careers and business, choosing instead to champion quality education for all.
TFQ's mission is simple yet radical: every child deserves equal access to quality education. Over six million children globally have seen their educational trajectories altered thanks to Teach for All. In just two years, the ripple effects reach over 3,500 students in nine Karaganda schools partnering with TFQ.
Crafting the TFQ Team
Founded in 2023, the TFQ program has cultivated 31 dynamic, diverse participants across two cohorts thus far. This year, a new batch of 28 finalists will join, marking their academic debut as teachers in Karaganda schools. To qualify, applicants must prove not only academic excellence but also leadership potential, adaptability, and dedication to teaching for at least two years.
Once selected, these individuals embark on a summer preparatory program, immersing themselves in teaching methodologies, inclusion basics, pedagogical ethics, and child psychology before stepping into schools as agents of change rather than traditional educators.
By fostering a caring, respectful environment that values each child's unique potential, TFQ champions a vision where every child's future isn't dictated by their socio-economic background or place of birth.
Impact Stories
The TFQ journey transcends mere career swaps or regional relocations; it's a tale of trust, courage, and personal transformation. Sometimes, a single belief in a student can rewrite their destiny.
One story involves a budding student who doubted his prospects of attending university, resorting to joining the military to secure his future. A trip to the university, however, sparked hope, leading him to seize the opportunity to prepare for entrance exams and secure a scholarship. His emotional declaration—"You changed my life"—rings profoundly to Nazira Kenenesova, a testament to the power of belief.
Unfazed by her lack of in-classroom experience, Alina Smakotina—former lab assistant in chemical analysis at an aluminum plant—successfully taught a child with DCP and mild intellectual disabilities. Through patience and unconventional methods, she slowly unlocked the child's demeanor, cultivating confidence, smiles, and the desire to engage with peers.
"TFQ's teachers bring a distinct worldview," shares the director of one partner school, "They deliver the same knowledge but in a modern, interactive way. They build relationships with children differently. Result? Children react differently to them."
Extra Mile Initiatives
Beyond excellence in teaching, TFQ participants pioneer unique projects bolsteringschool cultures of empathy, respect, and self-expression. Family film festivals, such as the nomadic Orai, promote collaboration and open dialogues among students, parents, and educators. Meanwhile, Gulzhian Zhaniyeva's "Night at School" project breathes life into Abai city classrooms with evening events, quests, and activities.
Unsurprisingly, basic facilities like toilets aren't overlooked, as TFQ champions students' comfort and safety from the ground up. Restroom renovations spearheaded by Gulzhian alongside the Make Mektep team ensure that every school corner caters to children's needs.
Bridging the Gap, Inspiring Neighbors
Biology teacher Nailya Tokhtamova showcases TFQ's climate education initiatives, participating in global Teach For All training and winning third place in the "With Care for the Motherland" ecological project competition. Her achievements of connecting classrooms with the local community and addressing environmental challenges embody TFQ's mission in action.
The program's success resonates regionally, attracting international interest. In June 2025, delegates from Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and African countries visited to learn from the Kazakh model, foreshadowing the launch of similar initiatives in their home countries.
The program finds strong support from Freedom Holding Corp., which plays a pivotal role in TFQ's growth and sustainability. With agreements secured in Pavlodar and Kostanai regions and expansion to new areas planned for 2025, TFQ's influence will continue to impact education in Kazakhstan for years to come.
Interested in learning more about TFQ? Visit our website for more details!.
[1] Base Article
[2] Enrichment Data: Origins and Purpose
[3] Enrichment Data: How It Works
[4] Enrichment Data: Impact Stories
[5] Enrichment Data: Extra Mile Initiatives
- Participants of the Teach for Qazaqstan (TFQ) program are not just teachers, but agents of personal growth and learning, dedicated to championing quality education and fostering a caring environment for every child, thus contributing to their overall development and future success.
- The TFQ program empowers top university graduates to embark on a journey of self-development and education-and-self-development, trading corporate careers for teaching positions in schools across Karaganda, with a strong focus on shifting the trajectory of children's lives through mutual trust, courage, and learning.
