How One Kazakh School Made Reading a Daily Habit for Every Student
The School Library Shapes the Future of Learning
At Syrbai Maulenov School-Lyceum No. 37, the library has undergone a full modernization. Cozy coworking nooks, interactive whiteboards, and a self-service e-book station have all been introduced. According to Kulsara Burkutbayeva, the head librarian, the collection now exceeds 133,000 volumes, primarily textbooks, with around 3,000 works of fiction.
"We continuously update our collection and engage with our readers," she explains. "This year alone, we acquired 300 new Kazakh-language fiction books. As soon as they arrive, we organize exhibitions and host reviews. Children shouldn't just see books—they should understand what they're about." To achieve this, the library regularly holds literary evenings, homeroom discussions, and reading competitions.
In the lead-up to National Book Day, the school has planned ten days of events, from book displays to interactive activities. During our visit, students were immersed in an eco-quest, eagerly searching for answers in books as part of the challenge.
As Gulzhan Toleu, the school's director, explains, this approach took shape in 2022, when the institution became one of the first to join the "Development of National Education" initiative (later rebranded as the "Adal Azamat"—"Honest Citizen"—program). A key focus of the project was fostering reading literacy.
Since 2023, School-Lyceum No. 37 has also implemented its own "Classroom Library" initiative, placing bookshelves in every classroom. Teachers and students now read fiction together during free periods. The next step was adopting the citywide "8 Minutes of Reading" program, which expanded on the classroom library concept.
"We were thrilled with this initiative—it set a new rhythm for us," says Toleu. "Eight minutes before each lesson, students and teachers pick up a book and read. This has significantly improved our classroom libraries, turning reading into a daily habit."
Today, every student participates in daily reading—even first-graders, who weren't originally included in the project but eagerly followed the trend, picking up books on their own. Teachers introduced them to captivating fairy tales and stories.
Educators note that daily reading is transforming the students: expanding their vocabulary, sparking discussions, and honing their analytical skills. Dina Baidildayeva, a teacher at the school, shares that all 29 of her students read the entire epic "Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu" in a single term. Now, the class is exploring the folk sagas "Koblandy-Batyr" and "Kambar-Batyr" together.
Inzhu Kenebayeva, a fifth-grader, says she now prefers reading to playing during recess. The shift, she admits, has become her new favorite way to spend free time.
"We read two or three pages every day," she shared. "If time allows, we discuss what we've read. I love literature—I read poetry daily to enrich my language."
Laila Kairbekova, a teacher of Kazakh language and literature, believes reading not only imparts knowledge but also helps shape essential values like responsibility, respect, and the ability to listen to others. In this sense, the library becomes a tool for moral development.
"Learning to discuss what we read is just as important," she says. "The children share their thoughts, talk about the characters, and try to engage their classmates. We teach them to build arguments and connect with the text. It's also meaningful that students record video reviews, discuss books with their families, and share their impressions."
Seventh-grader Milena Rud admits the project has helped her articulate her thoughts more clearly and speak with greater precision. She now enjoys reading Journey into Childhood by Berdibek Sokpakbayev, whose protagonist, in her view, sets the finest example to follow.
Mukhtar Zaparbuly, another seventh-grade student, was deeply moved by Dulat Isabekov's short story Father. He says the work teaches honesty, fairness, and the value of family bonds. His classmate Aida Aikeshova, after reading Mukhtar Magauin's novella Children of One Father, discovered a fresh perspective on pivotal moments in the nation's history.
Teachers note that daily reading gradually transforms the students—expanding their vocabulary, sparking a passion for discussion, and honing their analytical skills.
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