Students and faculty members of the Department of Natural Sciences at the Pedagogical Institute of Kostanay Regional University conducted a study titled “Pedagogical Conditions for Developing Functional Natural Science Literacy in Small Rural (Low-Enrollment) Schools.”
The department maintains a consistent and structured approach to training future teachers in the academic programs Chemistry, Biology, and Geography, with a strong emphasis on the needs and specific characteristics of rural and low-enrollment schools.
Notably, 67.4% of Kazakhstan’s 8,000 schools are located in rural areas, and 51.2% of them operate with low student enrollment, functioning as small or multi-grade schools.
During a recent online project session, students and lecturers discussed the implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the infrastructure and material-technical resources of low-enrollment rural schools, a process that calls for the adoption of modern pedagogical practices.
The research team received guidance from Svetlana Okhrimenko, a chemistry and biology teacher at Krylovskaya School, located in the Sarykol District, Sarykol Region.
Svetlana also holds a master’s degree from the Department of Natural Sciences at KRÜ, where she previously completed graduate-level training.
The educator provided valuable insights into the most in-demand teaching strategies for working with new laboratory equipment and modern instruments, designed for upgraded learning environments, including universal science classrooms and multifunctional laboratory spaces in small rural schools.
This new classroom model significantly enhances the quality of education in natural science subjects. It expands learning opportunities for students and supports research-based approaches that contribute to improving teaching standards and academic outcomes in rural education settings.
