UK/US partnership supplies the training and technology to transform Kazakh education system.
President Nazerbayev of Kazakhstan is working to move his country into the world’s top 50 economies. Key to achieving this is the President’s Initiative in Interactive Learning (PILTI), which aims to transform the teaching of languages, science and engineering in order to create the technologically literate workforce that can make this vision a reality.
The project revolutionises classroom teaching and practical projects through the introduction of virtual learning environments and web conferencing. It will potentially roll out across all schools and high quality teacher training training and support will be key to successful implementation.
Working through an agent, the Kazakh Ministry of Education identified top calibre companies able to deliver the quality of provision required to make this project a success. These included TVET UK members LJ Create, which supplies interactive learning materials, Promethean, a leading white board supplier and Boxford, software suppliers. US company PASCO was also involved. Together they were able to supply the complete package.
In May 2008, the companies sent their trainers to Almaty to instruct the first set of teachers involved in the project in the interactive classroom technology and digital learning resources they would be using to innovate their lessons. This included interactive biology and chemistry lessons using the LJ Create digital science lessons and simulations, and accompanying science experiment kits and apparatus. Language teachers learned to use the Promethean interactive white boards and assessment systems to create their own flip charts for classes in Russian, Kazakh and English languages, history and culture. They also worked on improving their skills as teacher trainers.
In total over 6,000 teachers were trained over the summer, and are now embedding engaging and innovative learning into the curriculum.
Find out more about TVET UK members' successful projects
