Buying school uniforms - Ministry of Education addresses parents

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education has addressed parental concerns about school uniforms, emphasizing that while national standards exist, the specifics of style and color are determined by each school in collaboration with parents or school boards. Vice Minister Akparova stated that parents have the autonomy to select uniform manufacturers. Educational institutions are explicitly forbidden from recommending any particular vendor.

Akparova warned that school principals or teachers who mandate purchases from specific suppliers will face repercussions. Parents can report such instances to local education quality assurance departments or the Ministry of Education itself. The Ministry will take appropriate action, and the accountability of school heads will be reviewed if they violate these regulations.

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Parents choose the manufacturer themselves. Educational organizations are not allowed to recommend any specific manufacturer, this remains at the parents' discretion.

These clarifications come after a July 2026 incident where parents at a gymnasium school in the Karasay district of Almaty region complained about proposed uniform changes and pressure to buy from a designated shop. The regional education department confirmed that the new uniform was not approved and reiterated the prohibition against forcing parents to buy from specific manufacturers or retailers.

In 2025, a petition was launched by Kazakhstani citizens calling for the abolition of mandatory school uniforms. One parent reported that their school dictated not only the style but also the store, with the cost for two children's outfits, excluding shirts, reaching approximately 130,000 tenge.

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We will certainly take appropriate measures because it is already established by decree that such actions are not permitted. In these cases, the school head's accountability will be reviewed.