The first public defense of the projects in “Management in Education” program: the way to the transformation of secondary education through the example of Shymkent schools

On November 30, 2019, the long-anticipated public defense of “Management in Education” design work by trainees of advanced training course of AlmaU Institute for Educational Development took place. The event was held in Shymkent, on the site of Nazarbayev Intellectual School of the chemical and biological direction.  

The event was attended by the deputy of the Parliament Majilis of the Republic of Kazakhstan Irina Smirnova, vice- akim of Shymkent Kairat Nurtay, acting Head of the Education Department of Shymkent Aigul Tekebaeva, experts from Almaty Management University and Center for Pedagogical Excellence Nazarbayev Intellectual School, and 80 principals of schools of Shymkent city.

The event was attended by delegations from the cities of Aktobe, Kokshetau, Nur-Sultan, and Kyzylorda.

At the beginning of the event, AlmaU Rector Gulmira Kurganbaeva took the floor. The speaker emphasized that Shymkent city is becoming a center of science and education, 80 school principals have passed the transformational program of MBA in education. During short-term courses, every student changed the corporate culture model and became a true leader and carrier of changes in the educational environment. The speaker thanked Irina Smirnova, the deputy of the Parliament Mazhilis of the Republic of Kazakhstan of VI convocation for participation and attention of the legislative power at the institutional level.

Gulmira Kurganbaeva: “Changes in improving the education system begin with the teacher, it is the teacher who carries the cultural code of the country. It is the teacher who is the main person in the country and the transformation of the nation begins with him. And it is no coincidence that you offer serious and systematic design projects for the new academic program. It is gratifying that thanks to this project you have become one team, despite the fact that each of you is the director and head of a separate school. You are open, you share knowledge, and each of you has become a source of meanings for each other. Each of you is an ocean of meanings and values. A teacher is a carrier of trust. The purpose of education is to educate a person and form a cultural code. A smiling school principal is an inspiring leader who leads teachers who are trusted by children and parents. Today we will see how the thinking of large teams is born. You all began to see a partner in each of you and made joint projects. Tomorrow you will generate new projects. One small change in the educational field in one area has led to changes in other areas. This is due to the fact that there was huge support from the akimat of Shymkent, the city’s education department. You saw the potential for the development of secondary education”.

Member of the Parliament Mazhilis of the Republic of Kazakhstan Irina Smirnova: “I am very glad that there is such a project. I recollect the words of Elbasy in 2015 Message: “5 reforms are necessary and the most important answer to the challenges of our time will be the answer of education”. Today’s event is the answer to this. Education is the most important thing today. We equal and adopt the experience of Japan and South Korea. Because they realized that the main thing is a human capital. The President of Kazakhstan appealed to create a Law on the status of a teacher, because the fate of the teaching is being decided, now it is being discussed in the Senate. The teacher will work as the director puts the work. I wish you success and express gratitude to AlmaU and the akimat of Shymkent. The whole trend in the development of education depends on Shymkent, because ideas are born here. ”

Then, using the question-answer method, the order of speeches was determined

For example, the following questions were asked:

The start date of the first module? (in June)

What structural unit of AlmaU implements “Management in Education” program? (Institute for Educational Development)

What is the theme of the final module? (Innovative technologies)

Who is the leader and creator of Management in Education program (Almagul Kanagatova)

Who is the coach of the team building module (Erbol Ismailov)

We note the activity of the audience in the discussion of issues.

The expert group included:

Irina Smirnova - Chairman of the expert group

Kairat Nurtay - Vice Akim of Shymkent

Aigul Tekebaeva - acting Head of the Department of Education, Shymkent

Gulmira Kurganbaeva - Rector of AlmaU

Dinara Aitbaeva - Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources Management of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools JSC

Almagul Kanagatova - First Vice-Rector of AlmaU

Asel Arynkyzy - AlmaU Vice-Rector for Academic Development

Albina Salimbaeva – “Design Thinking Live” Project Manager, expert on strategic development and project management

Alina Hamadinova - education expert, coach

Kanat Baybolov - Vice-Rector of the State University of South Kazakhstan Region named after M. Auezov

Almira Ibasheva - Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of the South Kazakhstan State Pedagogical University of Shymkent

Aiymgul Tleuzhanova - Director of AlmaU Center for Innovation Programs

The first to speak were the students with the project “Corporate Culture Management at secondary school”, the project’s supervisor, strategic communications expert Yerbol Ismailov. The project members team: Balkan Kasimov - Director of Nazarbayev Intellectual School JSC in the chemical and biological field of Shymkent, Aizhan Abylova - director of the school № 127, Kuttykiz Akhmetova - director of the school №93, Valida Musaeva - director of the school № 14, Farida Myrkheeva - Director of School No. 6, Zhanna Kulbekova - Director of School No. 57, Berikbai Mikheev - Director of School No. 83, Erkhan Nurseyitov - Director of School No. 66, Naylya Shirtaeva - Director of School No. 31, Moldir Sakhova - Director of School No. 60, Gulmira Oralbekova - Director School No. 55, Nurbol Shyrynbekov - Director of School No. 82, Nagima Daryb Aeva - NIS JSC of the chemical and biological direction of Shymkent city, Agabek Yeshentaev - director of secondary school No. 51.

Along with the mission and strategy of the project, students focused on the questionnaire (where over 500 respondents took part) on the main values ​​of the school, factors affecting the work of the teacher, and the degree of parents 'responsibility for the formation of students' skills and a model of the teacher of the future. The value of this project is recommendations for creating a corporate culture at schools, such as the formation of one's corporate style, education management, and the drafting of a code of ethics and a list of legal acts. It was also suggested that representatives of the akimat consider the Best Team promotion for reducing or not complaining and creating indicators for assessing corporate culture. After completing the presentation of the project, the team answered questions from experts.

The next speaker was a welcoming speech by the Vice Akim of Shymkent Kairat Nurtay.

Kairat Nurtai: “Together with AlmaU we have done a very effective work. Let me tell you about great cultural news: since 2013, we have explored the history of Shymkent and as a result, it turned out that within the framework of UNESCO, Abu Nasyr Al Farabi’s anniversary is 1150 years and 2200 years since the foundation of our city, also our sunny city approved by the cultural capital of the CIS.

At the end of his speech, the speaker thanked the teachers and directors for their contribution to the development of education and upbringing of the young generation.

Next, there was a project on the topic: “Implementation and use of project technologies to engage schoolchildren in the process of self-regulation”, project research manager, business trainer Albina Salimbaeva The object of the study is the process of organizing and managing the project activities of students in grades 8-11 of Shymkent secondary schools. The study revealed that the ability to work in a team, a confident personality and independence play an important role in the use of project activities. A survey was also conducted among 1,445 respondents, of which 10 school principals, 669 students, 254 teachers and 512 parents. The project proposed the stages of implementation of project activities in education, thereby making the following recommendations: to introduce systematically project technology in teaching in city schools and using the resources of parental and local communities in project activities as one of the tools for solving the issue of schoolchildren employment beyond school hours.

Then a project was presented on the topic: “Strategic development of the school”, supervisor, educational expert Gulmira Kurganbaeva. During the research, they studied the experience of foreign schools, in the process of preparation took into account the characteristics of the alpha and Z generations. The main cases: entrepreneurial and digital (BTS) schools. The research was based on an atlas of future professions. And models of student were created. For example, a student has digital communication skills, is able to implement projects and has high IQ & EQ. When a teacher owns leadership qualities, digital technologies, is stress-resistant, masters related professions, knows how to work in a team and is sociable. Interesting aspects of the project are the use of chatbots and flipped classroom.

The following team made a project on the topic: “Implementation of STEAM technologies in the educational process of schools in Shymkent city”, project supervisor Asel Aryn. The following people worked on the project: Aigul Baibosynova - director of school No. 10, Razia Beisebaeva, director of school No. 128, Esma Bekzatova - director of school No. 56, Zhanna Burkulova - director of school-lyceum No. 46, Saule Dauletchinova - chief accountant of NIS chemical and biological direction, Zhanar Yermekbaeva - director of school No. 84, Kanytkul Zhanabaeva - director of school No. 78, Shadia Zhienova - director of school No. 81, Balzhan Kurtayeva - director of school No. 103, Gulkhan Sandybaeva - director of school-gymnasium No. 64, Zareta Saparkulova - director of school No. 30, Abdikhalik Tazhen - Director of the secondary school 76.

The team analyzed the development of STEAM education by conducting an online survey among 91 respondents from 18 schools. According to the survey, 79.1% of respondents consider it necessary to implement STEAM technology. As a result, a SWOT analysis was compiled, which gave a clear picture for development of further steps to introduce STEAM technology in city schools.

A project was also developed to introduce STEAM technology in the educational process of schools in Shymkent.

The team’s bright exit with a project on the topic: “Talent management in the school: a new design for the life of teachers and the school principal” did not leave anyone indifferent. Project supervisor Almagul Kanagatova. The authors of the program: Zhanar Toylybaeva, director of school-lyceum No. 23, Karlygash Kurmanbekova - director of school No. 28, Roza Zhanabaeva - director of school-gymnasium 25, Aueskhan Maulenov - director of school No. 98, Vasila Abylbaeva - director of school No. 120, Bakhytzhan Naurizbaev, director of school-gymnasium No. 99, Bayan Yesimova - director of school No. 124, Raushan Almakhankyzy - director of school No. 7.

The team showed results on the example of case number 23 of the school in Shymkent. Strong personnel are attracted to the experimental site through cooperation with a local university. (South Kazakhstan State University named after M. Auezov and South Kazakhstan State Pedagogical University). Recommendations on talent management in the pedagogical environment of the modern school are given, and a coaching approach to managing school principals was proposed.

Most participants remembered the team’s enthusiastic performance with the project on the theme: “Budgeting, per capita financing of the school”, supervisor certified trainer Saule Bayserkeeva. Per capita funding (per capita, state and local) will develop competition and create the conditions for parents to choose a school for their children. A SWOT analysis was done, where 3200 students took part, 2130 parents and 200 teachers answered questions and this helped to identify the pros and cons, and also indicate the smart plan of the school.

The final team with a project on the topic “Transformation of the pedagogical design of schools”, supervisor Aiymgul Tleuzhanova. Authors of the project: Khulkar Jamalova - director of school № 104, Nadirkhan Imamsidikov - director of school № 113, Zhamila Karataeva - director of school № 97, Akmaral Kosaeva - director of school № 100, Aset Satybaldiev - director of school № 125, Gulzhan Turganbaeva - director of school № 122, Galymzhan Almatov - director of secondary school №129, Balzhan Duren - director of secondary school №91, Bogdan Zhumanov - director of secondary school №2, Saule Isabekova - director of secondary school №116. The ways of modernization of the digital format of education and management, the system of electronic management of the school and online learning were presented.

After the defense of the projects was completed, the brightest and most interesting part of the event followed - the presentation of diplomas to students.

“Management in Education” program began its implementation within Almaty University Management and continues in the educational sphere of Shymkent. The practical relevance of the program is huge and prepares teams of changes at schools.

Almaty Management University is the first university in the Republic of Kazakhstan to train specialists in the MBA program “Management in Education”. Almaty Management University expresses great gratitude to the leadership of Shymkent and the Department of Education for their support and understanding of the importance of training the city school directors.