Parents of students at School No. 63 named after Dulatuly in Aktobe have claimed they are being forced to purchase cadet uniforms costing around 30,000 tenge, citing an "order from above." However, the regional education department clarified that enrollment in cadet classes is voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time, reports infohub.kz.
Cadet classes were opened at School No. 63, and parents questioned whether it is mandatory to buy the special uniform, which, according to one mother, costs about 30,000 tenge per child. The set is designed for two seasons and is meant to replace regular school attire. Parents expressed confusion: "In some schools, cadet classes have been introduced, for example at School No. 63. The uniform costs about 30,000 tenge per child. That's for two seasons. Instead of a school uniform, they'll wear this uniform, which looks military, and even with a cap. Parents are outraged, but we're told it's an order from above. Why should children have to go to school in such uniforms and caps? Why don't we have the right to refuse?"
The Aktobe regional education department explained that the cadet classes were established under a memorandum of cooperation with the Aktobe Law Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan named after M. Bokenbayev. The department stressed that the special uniform is only for students enrolled in cadet classes, and enrollment is entirely voluntary.
Press secretary of the Aktobe regional education department, Lyazat Asabayeva, responded: "The uniform is only needed for those studying in the cadet class. Enrollment is entirely voluntary. There have been no orders to transfer children to cadet classes. Parents have every right to refuse to have their child study in a cadet class."
If parents do not want their child to participate in the cadet program, they can keep the child in or transfer them to a regular class in the same grade. "For children whose parents do not plan to participate in the cadet program, placement in regular classes of the same grade is ensured, where standard school uniform requirements apply," Lyazat Asabayeva explained.