Kazakhstan: Schools Cannot Suspend Students for Uniform Violations

Schools in Kazakhstan are prohibited from barring students from educational processes due to non-compliance with uniform policies, according to First Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova. She emphasized that the Law "On Education" grants every child an unconditional right to a quality education, meaning no student can be denied entry based on their appearance.

Akparova clarified that while schools cannot refuse entry, parents bear the responsibility for ensuring their children adhere to the approved school uniform rules. These requirements are established through collaboration with parent communities and boards of trustees, not unilaterally by schools. The Constitution of Kazakhstan mandates that all citizens comply with its laws, including those pertaining to dress codes.

Systematic violations of the uniform policy will not go unnoticed. The ministry outlined that repeated non-compliance will first result in a warning, followed by a fine equivalent to 5 MCI (approximately 21,625 tenge in 2026). Previous clarifications informed parents about the process of determining clothing styles, purchasing options, and available assistance for families needing support with uniform requirements.

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A child has the right to receive a quality education. Therefore, it is unacceptable and prohibited to deny a child entry to school.