Tengrinews.kz - Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Talgat Yeshenkulov has commented on an incident at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (KazNPU), where first-year female students were instructed on how to behave in society and around men.
What happened
In early May, debates erupted on social media after a meeting was held at Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai (KazNPU), where first-year female students were told how girls should behave in society and in the presence of men.
The students were invited to the assembly hall, where a video was shown. In the video, men of different ages explained how girls should behave in public. For example, they said girls should not wear revealing clothing, should not speak loudly, and should greet men properly – by bowing.
The university’s administration stated that the video “caused mixed reactions among students.”
“The university administration understands the situation and declares that in the future, it will be extremely careful in selecting materials of this nature,” the statement said.
What the ministry said
At a government briefing, Vice Minister Talgat Yeshenkulov was asked what measures had been taken following the incident.
“According to information from the university, such educational events are held regularly. The doors are open, and students who are interested can attend. These events are conducted as part of educational work – we have an approved educational concept. The university has drawn conclusions, and certain preventive and explanatory work has been carried out. Accordingly, this will not happen again,” Yeshenkulov said.
He added that the ministry holds meetings twice a month with vice-rectors for social and educational work, where various topics concerning students are discussed.
“I would like to emphasize that conclusions have been drawn regarding this case. We will continue to work to ensure that this does not happen again. (...) A conversation has already taken place with all vice-rectors and all universities,” the vice minister added.
Earlier, KazNPU also stated that the university is a secular educational institution that respects students’ personal choices, freedom, and diversity of opinion.
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