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Enhancing Rural Education with Digital Solutions in the Aktobe Region

place Kazakhstan

Transforming Small Rural Schools Through Digital Innovation

Our innovation aims to develop the potential of small rural schools by integrating digital technologies and modern educational resources. The project addresses the disparities in education quality between rural and urban areas by equipping schools with contemporary digital tools, improving internet connectivity, and providing teacher training.
Shortlisted

Overview

HundrED shortlisted this innovation

HundrED has shortlisted this innovation to one of its innovation collections. The information on this page has been checked by HundrED.

Updated May 2025
Web presence

2023

Established

1

Countries
Community
Target group
We hope to see a more equitable education system where rural and urban students have equal access to quality learning. Our innovation aims to reduce the educational gap by enhancing the digital infrastructure in rural schools, empowering teachers with modern tools and training, and providing students with engaging learning experiences.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

In the Aktobe region, 281 out of 424 secondary schools (66%) are located in rural areas. These schools typically serve small student populations, operate with combined-grade classrooms, and rely on teachers who often cover multiple subjects. Due to limited resources and unequal learning opportunities, many families are forced to leave their ancestral villages and relocate to urban centers in pursuit of better education for their children. This migration erodes community stability and deepens rural-urban divides.

These realities became the catalyst for launching our regional pilot. The innovation addresses these systemic disparities by introducing digital technologies, enhancing school infrastructure, and equipping teachers with modern pedagogical tools. Our aim is to ensure that every child—regardless of geography—has access to quality education, while preserving the vitality and future of rural communities.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

In practice, our innovation transforms small rural schools by integrating modern digital technologies into their educational environments. Classrooms are equipped with digital tools, such as laptops, interactive panels, and internet connectivity, tailored to each school’s specific needs. These digital resources enable a variety of teaching models, including virtual labs, online lectures, and blended learning, to ensure effective and engaging education.
Teachers receive professional training on using digital platforms and educational resources to deliver lessons efficiently, even in multi-age classrooms. Regular methodological support and collaborative networks between base and magnetic schools ensure ongoing development.
Students benefit from enhanced learning experiences, including interactive science experiments, virtual demonstrations, and access to online educational content.

How has it been spreading?

The innovation has been spreading through a structured, multi-phase approach. Initially, it was piloted in 134 rural schools in the Aktobe region, where digital tools, tailored learning models, and teacher training programs were introduced. Successful implementation and positive outcomes, such as improved student engagement and teacher effectiveness, have generated interest from other regions.

Partnerships with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, local educational authorities, and digital platform providers, have played a crucial role in promoting the project. Regular meetings, workshops, and presentations with educational leaders and policymakers have highlighted the benefits of this model, advocating for its expansion.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

To try this innovation, contact the project team or local education authorities. Assess your school’s infrastructure and digital needs. Partner with educational authorities and digital platform providers to access tools and training. Create an implementation plan with the project's support, equip the school with necessary digital tools, and enroll teachers in training for successful execution.

Implementation steps

Express Interest
Reach out to the project team or local education authorities to express your interest in implementing this innovation. They will provide detailed information and support throughout the process. This step helps you understand what resources and assistance are available to your school.
Assess Current State
Conduct a comprehensive assessment of your school's infrastructure, including the availability of digital resources, internet speed, and the professional development needs of the teaching staff. This analysis will determine which digital tools and learning models are most suitable for your school and identify any potential obstacles that need to be addressed.
Establish Partnerships
Collaborate with local education authorities, digital platform providers, and other partners to secure access to necessary tools and resources. This includes educational programs, equipment, and support in the form of methodological and training materials. Partners will help create tailored solutions for your school.
Create an Implementation Plan
Work with the project team and partners to develop a detailed implementation plan tailored to your school's needs. This plan should include a list of necessary equipment, installation timelines, digital platform integration, and a teacher training schedule. The plan should cover all aspects of implementation, from technical setup to ongoing methodological support.
Equip the School
Once the plan is finalized, proceed with equipping the school. This involves installing interactive panels, laptops, or tablets and ensuring a stable internet connection. Arrange for technical specialists to set up and configure the equipment properly, ensuring its smooth operation in the future.
Train Teachers
Enroll teachers in professional development courses and training workshops. These programs aim to familiarize teachers with digital tools, teaching models, and methodologies, enabling them to effectively use the new resources in the educational process. Teachers will gain skills in using digital platforms, virtual labs, and other technologies.
Begin Implementation
After the teachers are trained, start integrating digital resources and new methodologies into daily classroom activities. Use interactive lessons, virtual labs, and online content to provide a more engaging and comprehensive learning experience. Organize real-time lessons to facilitate knowledge sharing between participating schools.
Monitor and Evaluate
Regularly monitor student performance and gather feedback from teachers and students. Use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented methods and tools. Based on these results, adjust teaching approaches to better meet the needs of students and educators.
Access Ongoing Support
Take advantage of the ongoing support offered by the project team. Participate in webinars, consultations, and experience-sharing sessions with other schools implementing the innovation. This continuous support helps improve the learning process and allows you to exchange best practices.
Expand and Scale Up
After successfully implementing the innovation in your school, consider sharing your experiences and results with other schools. Share your methods, tools, and successes with colleagues and local education authorities to expand the project's impact and reach more rural schools in your region.
Evidence & Metrics
Between November 2023 and April 2024, student performance improved in four out of five core subjects across participating rural schools. Average scores rose in mathematics (from 33.58 to 38.51), physics (35.47 to 39.93), biology (34.94 to 39.00), and chemistry (34.06 to 36.77). The highest gain was in mathematics (+4.93), reflecting strong engagement with digital tools. However, English language scores declined from 36.06 to 33.97, signaling the need for revised instructional strategies.
Sustainability
The innovation is sustained through integration with local education budgets, alignment with regional policy, and investment in teacher capacity. A train-the-trainer model ensures long-term skills retention, while schools use low-cost tools and existing national platforms. Local IT support reduces operational costs and strengthens ownership. The model is adaptable to multigrade and low-bandwidth settings, enabling scale-up.
Funding and Strategic Leadership
The project was funded by the Fund of Qazaqstan Halqina, and The Aitas Foundation, with strategic design and national-level coordination provided by the Fund for the Sustainable Development of Education (led by Daniyar Toktarbayev and Kulyash Shamshidinova). The Aktobe Region served as the pilot site under the leadership of Eraly Togzhanov, Akim of the region (2022–2023), and continued under the supervision of Zhaiyk Sultan, Head of Education (2023–2025).
Infrastructure Adaptation
One of the most impactful modifications was in digital infrastructure. Initially, many rural schools faced low-bandwidth issues due to local telecom limitations. In response, over 50 schools transitioned to Starlink satellite internet, which significantly improved connectivity and enabled smooth integration of digital platforms and real-time instruction. This shift not only enhanced teaching and learning quality but also demonstrated the importance of flexible infrastructure solutions.