Distance learning status disclosed by Almaty Municipal Authority
Vibing on Virtual Classrooms: A Peek into Almaty's Distance Learning Transformation
In the heart of bustling Almaty, schools adjust to the new reality of virtual learning, adapting swiftly to the 2020-2021 academic year's challenges. With a whopping 271,000+ students enrolled in 207 state schools and 16,000+ students in 66 private schools, the city's Education Department is leaving no stone unturned to provide quality instruction.
Deputy Head of the City's Education Department, Kairat Zhumanov, shared insights into the progress of distance learning during a recent online briefing. As reported by Almaty.tv, he emphasized the commitment to maintaining safety protocols while ensuring a harmonious blend of traditional and innovative learning methods.
Waving Goodbye to Physical Classrooms (Mostly!)
In a shift towards digital education, an impressive 96% of school students in Almaty are embracing the digital classroom. To cater to these learners, 133 (64%) schools have established duty classes, accommodating 11,840 children at a time, with a maximum of 15 students per class.
The local Department of Public Health keeps a close eye on COVID-19 infection rates among students, and fortunately, only 8 students have been registered positive, all learning remotely. No cases have been reported among students attending duty classes.
Testing Times Ahead
Addressing media inquiries about assessments for the first quarter, Zhumanov highlighted that teachers conduct one summative evaluation per subject (SOZ) and one per quarter (SOCH). SOZ is recommended between October 5-15, while SOCH is scheduled for October 28.
Building a Solid Foundation for Tomorrow's Pioneers
Recognizing the importance of a robust digital infrastructure for distance learning, the Education Department has invested resources to secure 42,000 units of computer equipment and connected 38,500 students with SIM cards to ensure internet access.
Teachers lacking internet access are allowed to conduct online lessons within school premises under strict sanitary measures. To boost coverage in areas with low internet speed, additional mobile base stations have been installed.
Embracing the Digital Classroom
Each school selects an internet platform tailored to their needs. Apart from these platforms, teachers can use any suitable communication tools to facilitate online learning.
Before the academic year began, the Education Department trained over 15,000 teachers on distance learning platforms. The platforms currently being used by teachers are Kundelik, OnlineMektep, Opiq, Daryn.online, Sfera, Google Classroom, Google Meet, MS Teams, and Zoom.
Connecting with Parents
To maintain open channels of communication, call centers, Telegram bots, and pages on Instagram and Facebook have been established to address parental inquiries. The department and all 8 districts actively conduct informational sessions for parents. All incoming calls are taken promptly. For inquiries, parents can contact the call center at: 7 (775) 908-55-98.
While the current status of distance learning in Almaty's schools is not explicitly detailed, there's no denying that the city's Education Department is all but revolutionizing the future of educational access. Here's to navigating the digital classroom together, Almaty! 🚀🚀🚀
In the transformation of Almaty's education system, almost all school students are engaged in online education, integrating traditional and innovative learning methods within virtual classrooms. Recognizing the importance of a solid digital foundation for remote learning, the Education Department has provided computer equipment and SIM cards to ensure internet access for students, thereby fostering a strong foundation for tomorrow's pioneers.
