Buying school uniforms - Ministry of Education addresses parents

Tengrinews.kz — Schools in Kazakhstan are not permitted to force parents to purchase uniforms from a specific manufacturer or store. This was reiterated by Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova during a government briefing.
According to Akparova, Kazakhstan has general requirements for mandatory school uniforms. However, each school determines the style and color of the clothing in consultation with parents or the school's board of trustees.

"Parents choose the manufacturer themselves. Educational organizations are not allowed to recommend any specific manufacturer—this remains at the parents' discretion," the Vice Minister stated.

If a principal or teacher demands that uniforms be purchased from a specific vendor, parents can contact their local Department for Quality Assurance in Education or the Ministry of Education directly.

"We will certainly take appropriate measures because it is already established by decree that such actions are not permitted. In these cases, the school head's accountability will be reviewed," Akparova emphasized.

Purchasing School Uniforms in Kazakhstan
In July 2026, parents of students at a gymnasium school in the Karasay district of the Almaty region complained about a potential change in uniforms and recommendations to buy them from a specific shop.
The regional education department stated that the new uniform was ultimately not approved and reminded that forcing parents to buy from a specific manufacturer, brand, or retail outlet is prohibited.
In 2025, Kazakhstani citizens launched a petition demanding the abolition of mandatory school uniforms. One parent reported that the school had specified not only the style but also the store, with a set of clothes for two children costing the family approximately 130,000 tenge, excluding shirts.
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