History:

The Department of Pedagogy traces its history back to 1983. In the early 1980s, the system of primary education began to develop intensively, which led to a growing need for highly qualified pedagogical staff in Central Kazakhstan. To meet the increasing demand for specialists, the first intake of students in the specialty “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” was carried out in 1983 at the Karaganda Pedagogical Institute. In 1984, an independent Faculty of Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education was established, with Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor S. K. Nurtakanov appointed as its Dean.

Since 1984, the Department of Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education has been training teaching staff for primary schools through full-time and part-time modes of study. The first cohort of students graduated in 1987.

In 1999, a master’s degree program in “General Pedagogy” was opened at the Department, and the first cohort of master’s graduates completed their studies in 2001.

In 2001, a division for obtaining a second higher education in the specialty “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” was established. In the same year, the academic staff of the Department participated in a national конкурс for the development of the state standard for the master’s degree program in “Pedagogy.”

In 2004, a master’s degree program in “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” was launched at the Department. The curriculum placed particular emphasis on mastering psychological and pedagogical as well as specialized disciplines, including teaching methodology in higher education. The academic and scientific potential of the Faculty of Pedagogy enabled high-level scientific supervision of master’s students’ research activities.

In 2006, the Department’s staff took part in the development of the state educational standard for the specialty “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” (bachelor’s and master’s levels) and, by decision of the competitive commission, was recognized as the winner.

In 2011, by decision of the Academic Council, the Department of Pedagogy was merged with the Department of Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education. Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor S. K. Abildina was appointed Head of the Department.

In 2017, under the chairmanship of Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor S. K. Abildina, a dissertation council (doctoral profile) was established.

From 2022 to 2024, the duties of Head of the Department were performed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Svetlana Anatolyevna Odintsova.

Since 2024, the Head of the Department of Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education has been Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor Aigul Olzhabayevna Mukhametzhanova.

Teachers:

Currently, 22 people work in the department, 60% of whom hold academic degrees. The Department includes holders of the national title “Best University Lecturer of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” academicians of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Academy of Informatization of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the International Academy of Pedagogical Education of Moscow, and the Eurasian International Academy of Ecology and Life Safety Sciences, as well as recipients of the A. Nobel Medal for contributions to the development of invention, the T. K. Kamzabayev Prize, the “European Quality” Gold Medal, and the “Y. Altynsarin” Badge.

Accreditation and Leadership:

All educational programs of the Department are accredited by the Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education of Kazakhstan. They hold high positions in the national ranking.

The educational program “6B01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” underwent specialized accreditation in 2023, the educational program “7M01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” in 2024, and the educational program “8D01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education” in 2023 for a period of five years.

Partners:

The Department cooperates with international partners, including professors from the International Institute for the Professional Development of Teachers (Russia), the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius (Slovakia), Baku State University (Azerbaijan), Gazi University (Ankara), the University of Genoa (Italy), the Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maksim Tank (Belarus), and the Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizami (Tashkent).

Projects:

Faculty members of the Department implement research projects funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and external sponsors:

- 2018–2020 - AR05134666 “Preparation of Pedagogical Staff for Professional Activity in the Context of Inclusive Education”: Project Leader: Abildina S.K.; Team Members: Dyusembinova R.K., Rymkhan A.R.

- 2020–2022 - AR08856309 “Scientific and Methodological Support of Students’ Volunteer Activities in the Context of Inclusive Education”: Project Leader: Abildina S.K.; Team Members: Dyusembinova R.K., Rymkhan A.R., Ranova G.

- 2022–2024 - AR14870260 “Development of Functional Literacy of Primary School Students in the Context of Digitalization of Education”: Project Leader: Abildina S.K.; Team Members: Sarsekeeva Zh.E., Mukhametzhanova A.O., Aidarbekova K.A.; Doctoral Student: Kopbalina K.B.; Master’s Student: Orazbekova N.T.

- 2025–2027 - AP26101969 “Development and Implementation of a Synergetic Model for Training an Innovation-Active Teacher and Their Professional Development in the Context of Globalization, Digitalization, and Inclusivity of Education”: Project Leader: Abildina S.K.; Team Members: Omarova M.K., Ashimkhanova G.S., Sadvakasova N.A., Kudarinova A.S.; Doctoral Student: Tamabayeva M.K.

Employment:

Graduates of the Department are in high demand in the labor market, with an employment rate of 95%.

Educational Programs:

6B01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education: Bachelor’s Degree. The program is aimed at training highly qualified and competitive educators with strong fundamental and applied knowledge, as well as research skills, to carry out scientific-pedagogical and practice-oriented activities in the context of the updated content of secondary education. Graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Education degree and may work as primary school teachers, deputy school principals for teaching and educational work or research activities, and methodologists in education departments for primary education.

7M01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education: Master’s Degree. The program focuses on preparing scientific and pedagogical personnel for higher and secondary vocational education systems, as well as for the research sector. Graduates are awarded a Master of Pedagogical Sciences degree. They may work as primary school teachers, deputy school principals for teaching and educational work or research activities, lecturers in colleges and higher education institutions, and methodologists in education departments for primary education.

8D01301 - Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education: Doctoral Program. During their studies, doctoral students master the teaching of disciplines of the psychological and pedagogical cycle, develop and implement methodological support taking into account the achievements of modern pedagogy and psychology, organize and conduct scientific research on актуальные issues of psychological and pedagogical science, interact with all relevant professional communities to promote and implement innovations in professional practice, and carry out managerial activities with consideration of the development of education and science. Graduates of the doctoral program are awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). They may work in higher education institutions, research institutes and laboratories, pedagogical colleges, departments of education management, and institutes for advanced training and retraining of educational personnel.