[lg policy] View that Kazakhstan's Russian-medium schools lead pupils to dead end

Sun Jul 16 09:33:23 UTC 2017

Dear colleagues,

This is a very provocative article, that is very politically and
emotionally colored.

While i appreciate the attempts of a nation state to restore and revitalize
the status, the use and the education in the Kazakh language, yet i cannot
but regret that this article promotes doing that at the expense of another
language. The working language, whether the author of the article likes it
or not in most places, especially in many families is still Russian. So,
eliminating Russian might, in fact, do a disservice to children and their
families.

It is clear that multilingualism should be the norm for any society in the
21st century. And i see attempts at eliminating the Russian language in
Kazakhstan and in Ukraine as the new language planning initiative.

I also regret to say that the way it is done makes the readers believe that
the language, in this case Russian, is "bad", "will lead to nowhere", and
"its speakers should be sympathised". We all, especially language scholars
know that all languages are equal, period. There are no good or bad
languages, broken grammars, "rural, barbaric, etc." languages. Yet, such
articles provoke and promote such ideas.

The ramifications of such initiatives are far beyond the words in the
article. What i see is that via the Russian language, Russia and its people
are villified. I see it, i feel it as i personally travel across Europe and
the USA. Talking to local people, reading newspapers, watching TV. Just
yesterday, sitting in a remote village in Northern-Rhine Westfalia
(Germany), i glance at the TV, and it shows a James Bond movie from the
80s...

As i was taught in my graduate education in the USA, not voicing your
opinion is equal to complacence, acceptance and supporting the status quo.
I look forward to an engaging dialogue about language, multilingual
education - in Kazakhstan, in Russia, in Ukraine, in Germany, USA,
elsewhere. Yet, let's not fall culprit to the workings of politics and try
to retain our scholarly vision, critical thinking and reason.

Kind regards,
Alsu Gilmetdinova

16 Июл 2017 г. 4:16 пользователь "Fierman, William" <wfierman at indiana.edu>
написал:

I SINCERELY SYMPATHIZE THE KAZAKHSTANIS WHO GIVE THEIR CHILDREN TO THE
RUSSIAN SCHOOL

27 | 15.07.2017 -16+

http://www.qazaquni.kz/2017/07/15/72188.html

Those who want the unity of the Kazakh people, live on the land of
great-grandfathers and, eventually, live in Kazakhstan, lead their children
to Kazakh kindergartens and schools. These are not my words, these words
sounded on April 20 this year from the lips of our President Nursultan
Nazarbayev at the meeting with famous writers. Yes, these words are truth
that do not need to prove for every resident of our country which is
independent 26 years old.

Who currently educate their children in a Russian-language school? It is
mostly those who see their future not with the Kazakh country, but with
their Northern neighbors, as well as representatives of the Russian nation,
who dream returning to homeland. There are still compatriots who refused
his mother’s womb. No one else gives their child to a Russian school —
you’ll know for sure when the numbers figure out.

«Lead the child to the Kazakh school!» These words were the motto at time
when everything was tragedy for our people when they wanted to teach their
children at Kazakh schools, but there were none. At that time, it was hard
work to open a Kazakh school, and today is our debt! Not only debt, there
is no choice anymore for a society that wants to see the bright future of
their children in the Kazakh country.

At the time, in the era of colonization, due to the lack of knowledge of
the Russian language, many dreams our parents were remained unfulfilled.
And they were forced to give their children to a Russian school, because at
that time knowledge of Russian was the key of achieving purpose. And now
it’s Vice versa.

Today, no matter how much they want to admit this, history is making its
own. So far the independence is done, perhaps within ten years or even
earlier, abandoning their language, not to reach the heights in Kazakhstan.
Whether you like it or not — this is the emerging truth of contemporary
society..

Can you pursue other goals, giving your child to a Russian school, maybe
you have other intentions, but we do not regret you, but your child. The
fairy tale you invented in a moment will turn into the reality of today,
when you finally understand that your talented child will fall victim of
your cloudy fantasy. Okay, I will not be unfounded, let’s look at the facts
and arguments.

The first reason: demography in Kazakhstan, the proportion of Kazakhs in
this figure. In 1989, the population census showed that the population of
Kazakhstan is 16199,2 thousand people, including 6 534,6 thousand, i.e.
41%,– the Kazakhs. Russian — 6 227,5 thousand, i.e. 38%. But what about
today? According to current data, the population of Kazakhstan has reached
18 million 22 thousand 500 people. Of these, 12 million 780 thousand, that
is 71% Kazakhs, 3 million 710 thousand or 20.6% – Russian, 613 thousand, or
3.4% of Uzbeks.

The second reason: the replacement of the Russian language on the world
stage. In the Soviet period, around 400 million people in the world
officially used the Russian language. Today this number barely reaches 200
million. Basically Russian is considered only the state language of Russia.
This is proof that among international languages there is no worthy place
for it.

To give the child to study in a non-state language, the more degrading in
other countries is a complete absurdity, he himself leads his child to the
abyss.

The third reason: improving the quality of knowledge in Kazakh schools. In
ancient times, another fiction had information that Russian-language
schools provide the best knowledge, rather than Kazakh. But time has shown
that’s not true. Then let the numbers confirm my words…

The third reason: improving the quality of knowledge in Kazakh schools. In
the distant past, the next fable was the information that Russian-language
schools give better knowledge than Kazakh ones. But time has shown that
this is not true either. Then let the numbers confirm my words …

Of those who scored 125 points on UNT in 2016, all 19 students are
graduates of Kazakh classes. Showing the best results for the republic from
10 schools — 8 Kazakh, 1 Russian and 1 mixed school. In 2017, Tasan Sayat
Yeltayly, who scored 139 points, is also a graduate of the Kazakh school,
the share of schools that showed the highest results also falls on Kazakh
schools.

The last five years, according to the results of UNT and overall rating of
the championship and also in the Kazakh schools. For example, from 10 best
schools of Astana 8 schools teaching only in Kazakh language

It’s no secret that prize-winners of the world subject Olympiads, gold
medalists are also students of Kazakh schools or Kazakh-Turkish lyceums
(there is no concept of «Russian classes» at all).

For today’s specialists in the sphere of education are not a secret that in
any competition in the field of education is taking place between Kazakh
schools.

The fourth reason: the allocation of educational grants. In 2014, the
Republic of Kazakhstan 65% of the grants are allocated to Kazakh groups,
Russian — 35%, and in 2015 and 2016 — the ratio of 75% to 25%. This year’s
application to participate in this test for admission to higher educational
institutions has filed 92 827 graduates, of whom 67 627 (76.3 per cent) in
Kazakh, 20 968 (23.6 per cent) in Russian.

No matter how we want to hide these indicators, Russian groups will soon be
closed in higher educational institutions. In addition to this, lately
English has been opened instead of Russian groups. Now imagine that in the
future you will have to take your child to study in Russia. Do you want
this or or will you take to the Kazakh class. There is no other choice! I
feel sorry for the child whose parents have recently come to their senses
and who in the future will either be tormented, or to study at a higher
educational institution. In the elementary school the same situation.

Let’s make an overview of those wishing to enroll in Nazarbayev
intellectual schools in Astana. In the Kazakh classes, 1185 pupils applied,
and in Russian 520. This shows again that in the near future and these
schools go into a number of Kazakh schools.

The fifth reason: the ratio of Kazakh classes in schools. Today, 83% of
pupils in the country study in Kazakh classes, in Russian classes 16% and
only 1% in other languages. Last year, i.е. In 2016, 89% of children who
crossed the threshold of the school went to the first class in Kazakh, the
remaining 10% to Russian classes. The day is not far off when graduates of
Russian classes will take exams in the Kazakh language as students of
schools with Uighur, Uzbek, Tajik language of instruction. Taking into
account that out of 10% of pupils of Russian classes, more than half belong
to ethnic Russians, in the future the proportion of students entering a
higher educational institution with the Russian language of instruction may
not reach 5%.

History does not stand still, nobody can return the past. The prosperity of
the Kazakh language, the restoration of Kazakh society can not be stopped
exactly either. How would the Russian-speaking community is not trying to
protect the Russian language and would climb out of the skin to save it, in
the future, in our country the Kazakh language will be the №1 language.

Kazakh language will triumph not only in laws, it will also become the
language of life, economy, soon the people who do not know the Kazakh
language in Kazakhstan can not beg for a bread. This justice will be
decided not by authority, but by the Kazakh nation and history. That’s why,
so if you would like that your child will not fall behind society, will
achieve success, think about  your decision today

The sixth reason: the introduction of a three-language training system.
Honestly, there is no trilingual program, we see only a bilingual one. If
you do not believe in  me, then I will give an example from the Address of
President N. Nazarbayev to the people of Kazakhstan in 2017: «On the issue
of a phased transition to a trilingual education. The Kazakh language will
retain its dominant position. Much attention will be paid to its further
development. At the same time, today the English language is the language
of new technologies, new industries, a new economy. Currently, 90% of the
information is created in the world in English. Every two years, its volume
is doubled. Without mastering the English language, Kazakhstan will not
achieve national progress … «

Now let us dwell on the words of the President that the transition to
trilingual instruction will be carried out step by step, the Kazakh
language will dominate, especially it will continue to develop. And if the
Kazakh language dominates and gets stronger, as the third language, English
will develop, sweeping away everything in its path, including the Russian
language. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not my decision, it is the decision of
the President…

In his article «Looking to the Future: Modernizing the Public
Consciousness», the Head of State says: «We need to translate in recent
years the 100 best books of the world from different languages in all
areas of humanitarian knowledge into the Kazakh language and give the
opportunity for our youth to learn from the best world standards. Already
in the 2018/2019 school year, we must begin to educate our students on
these books. «

I emphasize, they will not translate into Russian, but into Kazakh. This
process will continue to develop, no one will believe that the Russian
language is the language of science, when the world science opens before us
with the help of the English language, then Russian-language teaching aids
mixed with Russian chauvinism are needed.

Seventh reason: lack of Russian-speaking specialists. You probably remember
when the akim of Shymkent city Gabidolla Abdrahimov became the subject of
ridicule when he proposed to raise for Russian schools, teachers from
Russia and Ukraine.

The number of strong teachers has significantly decreased in Russian
schools, and this becomes a burning issue. I quote one more argument, on
July 4, 2017, the press service of the Astana Education Department
published an advertisement on its Facebook page: «At the moment, due to the
lack of teachers, the school will not be able to temporarily take documents
of the 1st grade to the Russian department. As soon as we find a teacher,
we will immediately let you know. » So, it’s not that you do not find a
quality teacher in Russian classes in the daytime with fire, but to find a
simple specialist becomes a problem …

If all this look real, then the day is not far off when there will not
exist such a thing as a «Russian school». A simple example, since the
transfer of the capital to Astana, not a single Russian school has opened
here, the former Russian schools have become mixed, and some even have
become completely Kazakh.

Today graduates of Kazakh schools study in prestigious schools in Europe,
USA. A graduate of the Russian school will be trained not further than in
Moscow. Think about it!

For the people who have summed up the quarter of the century of
Independence, new values have appeared. It became clear that time and
history put everything in its place. During the period of Independence,
other values appeared, not to mention another. Russian-language media do
not have their former strength, gain significance and firmly hold their
media positions in the state language. The population in social networks is
paying less attention to Russian-language information.

If the same information appears in the state language, a large part of the
population responds and participates in the discussion. The state language
in social networks is becoming more important.

As they say, people tend to follow the majority, but even the majority can
make mistakes … Despite the fact that some people are so ardent in
defending the Russian language and despite the fact that you will give your
child to a Russian class, it will be difficult for the Russian language to
get up from knees.

Do not go against the wind — we say this because we feel sorry for your
child. Lead the child to the Kazakh school! This was the motto of our time
to save the nation, and these days we are talking because we regret the
future generation.

You would like to see your child at altitude, then take him to a Kazakh
school. Kazakhs call it this way: come to your senses before not too late,
and you while in your mind, get on the right path.

Think about it if you do not want your child to move away from society in
the future. Our duty is to warn you!

Ayatzhan Akhmetzhan, Director of the Republican Center «KAZBILIM»

aizere.kz

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