English version

CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL IN KASACHSTAN

Communism and Capitalism are two different systems, that determine the whole life in the respective countries.

Kindergarten

In Kasachstan (Belbasar), before 1989 Sowjetunion, you must attend a kindergarten even at the age of one year. The education was very strict and this was normal. Discipline and absolute obedience were always the important rules. The personal opinion was oppressed. The kindergarten started at 8 o`clock in the morning and finished at 5o`clock in the evening. All children had to sleep two hours in the lunch break. If a child wanted to sleep or not was not important, he or she had to obey. The children were taught differend things. One example is how to behave during the meals. The educator was strict. If the older kids were disobedient they were punished. Even how to go to the WC was practiced.

The kindergarten consists of 5 different parts. Every part lasted 1 year. Every year it was more difficult.

The aim of the education was to make it natural to keep certain rules.

We were educated by the principle, obedience and discipline are the important things in life. Every year the rules changed. Step by step we were taught more important things. In the highest levels we were treated more strictly. We had to be attentive and sometimes we are allowed to express our own opinions – a curious experience.

That are the girls of a schoolclass at 1st september at the end of the 80ies in Kasachstan (Nowij Put).

INFANT SCHOOL

After the first five years, we were prepared for school for one year. The Instruction started a little strangely. At the beginning the instruction lasted 3 hours, later it took to 4 hours a day.

The aim of the education was, that the pupil behave well.

We were taught how to report, how to speak to the teachers, how to sit on the chair for 45 minutes. Of course we made many games.

THEN THE SCHOOL STARTED

The future came nearer and school was opened for us.

At the beginning of the new schoolyear on 1st September was always a big celebration. The flag with the Russian coat of arms was hoisten. We sang the national anthem. The pupils stood, class next to class, at the sport fields.

The girls wore a black dress with a white apron and white stockings and bows, the boys a black suit. The director held a speech.

After this, "historical happening", we went into the classrooms and we were given the books and timetables by the teachers. We introduced ourselves. The school was "the crown" of discipline. School started at 8.15 a.m. and finished at noon. Every pupil had to wear a uniform.

The hygiene was very important. It was unthinkabel to go to school with long fingernails, not combed, or with make-up.

If somebody had long fingernails or a dirty shirt, he or she was sent home and the parents got a letter. Something like that was not tolerated.

School started with 15 minutes gymnastics. Everybody had to attend at it. But that was natural and we were really enthusiastic.

Later the lessons were in a normal classroom.

At the wall there was a picture of Lenin saying: "Learning, learning, learning".

We sat in pairs in parallel herons. Now the lessons could start. During the lessons we were not allowed to stand up, to speak and we had to fold our hands for 45 minutes. After break we had to be punctually in the class room and the lessons continued.

Everybody was proud of succeeding at school.