The conditions faced by children at the Nussupbaev School-Internate in Almaty, Kazakhstan, have drawn severe criticism following a recent visit by the country's Child Rights Ombudsman, Dinara Zakiyeva. Reporting on her observations via social media, Zakiyeva noted the 'horrible' living conditions experienced by the 170 children aged six and older who reside at the facility.
Three years have passed since the commencement of major renovations at the school, which were abruptly halted when the contractor was deemed untrustworthy. Consequently, the children find themselves residing within half-ruined buildings, with reports indicating they are forced to sleep in classrooms and eat meals within the gymnasium. Such circumstances have led to significant breaches of health and sanitation regulations, raising alarming concerns about the welfare of vulnerable residents.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Zakiyeva and her team held discussions with the regional akim, Marat Sultangaziev. The meeting centered on potential solutions for the children's dire living conditions. Options reviewed included completing the repairs or constructing entirely new dormitories. To mitigate the immediate crisis, they agreed to transfer the children to another sanitarily compliant boarding school where renovations had recently been concluded.
“It is imperative to act swiftly so our children are no longer subjected to such conditions,” Zakiyeva remarked, reflecting the shared sentiment among those engaged. She also outlined other pressing issues during her meeting with Sultangaziev, which included the establishment of more psychological support centers as well as increasing the number of child welfare workers. Currently, the plan is to employ 109 staff members across the region, ensuring prompt responses to troubling signals and safeguarding the youth effectively, especially amid rising concerns about violence.
Following the on-site assessment, Zakiyeva was also joined by the regional ombudsman, Aigul Esimbekova, to confer with the psychological support center's teams. Their initiative aims to implement uniform suicide prevention programs throughout schools as part of their broader commitment to tackle mental health issues affecting children.
Even before this recent scrutiny, the school had come under fire; earlier this year, reports of some teenagers fleeing from the internate went viral when they shared heartfelt video appeals for assistance from the East Kazakhstan region. The incident spotlighted the desperate plight faced by many students across various educational institutions, driving home the urgency for systemic changes to protect children's rights and wellbeing.
This recent episode at the Nussupbaev School-Internate exemplifies the pressing need for thorough inspections, accountability, and urgent reforms to guarantee the safety and prosperity of children residing within such institutions. With local leaders now visibly engaged, the hope remains alive for substantial improvements to come soon.