Kazakhstan School Expels Student: Debate Erupts Over Harsh Punishment

Almaty School Expels Student for Insulting Teacher: A Case of Harsh Discipline or Necessary Action? An 11th-grade student from the prestigious Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was recently expelled for violating exam rules and verbally abusing a teacher. The incident, which occurred on May 23rd, 2025, has sparked a heated debate about the school's disciplinary actions and their potential impact on the student's future. The student, whose name has not been released, admitted to bringing a mobile phone into the exam hall and using offensive language toward the teacher. In an interview, the student stated, "I fully admit my guilt and sincerely apologize." However, the school administration decided that expulsion was the appropriate punishment, citing a zero-tolerance policy for such behavior. Ermek Paiyzhov, the school's director, defended the decision, saying, "We are committed to maintaining high standards of conduct. While we regret the impact on the student, we believe this sends a clear message about the importance of respecting teachers and following exam regulations." The incident has drawn criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about the severity of the punishment and its potential long-term consequences for the student's educational prospects. Deputy Irina Smirnova questioned the school's approach, suggesting a more nuanced response might have been more effective. The Ministry of Education has launched an investigation into the matter. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial in determining whether the school's actions were justified and whether changes need to be made to its disciplinary procedures.