Patriotic Education

                  

Patriotic Education at the RUTC "Baldauen"

The history of the Republican Educational and Health Center "Baldauen" begins with the signing of a very important document. In 2000, Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev signed a decree establishing a children's center in the resort region of Burabay, on the shores of Lake Shchuchye.

The Center quickly established itself at an international level, competing with centers such as the MDC "Orlyonok," the VDC "Okean," the MDC "Artek," the NDOC "Zubrenok," and others. Gradually, a system was developed for the children's center in which the primary role was given to the teacher-organizers and, of course, to the children themselves. This was because the best of the best – gifted children from all regions of Kazakhstan – came to Baldauen. The first to have the good fortune of visiting Baldauen became unwitting authors of the Center's development history. These children wrote song lyrics about Baldauen, participated in the development of the Center's symbolism, and created the laws and traditions of the children's center. Thanks to their active engagement, it became possible to establish the Union of Children's Public Organizations and Associations at our center and to hold the Republican Rally of Children's Public Associations and Organizations of Kazakhstan, where a commemorative plaque with a capsule containing an "Address to a Peer in 2030" was unveiled.

Patriotism begins with love for one's small homeland, with knowledge of one's family history and native region, and with a readiness to benefit one's family, school, city, and country. Children coming to Baldauen for their vacation are given the opportunity to talk about their region, their family, and, of course, to learn about the resort region where our Center is located. Getting to know Baldauen is impossible without getting to know the Burabay region.

Burabay is a blessed land, where nature and the earth themselves have become the cradle of great warriors (batyrs), poets (akyns), and scholarly educators.

It was here that the Great Abylai Khan made the historic decision to reunite the Kazakh tribes for the future prosperity of a Sovereign Kazakhstan. It is here that the friendship of "one hundred languages" among peoples historically took root. The people of Kokshetau have made a notable contribution to the spiritual life of the Kazakh people. It is in Kokshetau, a land of unique traditions, that the songwriting of the steppe bards – Akan-serí, Birzhan-sal, Ukili Ibray, Boluan-Sholak, and the improvisational poets Orynbay and Arystanbay – flourished so brightly. Excursions, homeroom classes, educational evenings, and station-based games are the activities through which children become acquainted with the region and its history.

As part of the implementation of the "Rukhani Zhangyru" (Spiritual Revival) and "Tugan Zher" (Native Land) programs, the Republican Educational and Health Center "Baldauen" has launched pilot projects titled "Journey of the Great Steppe's Descendants" and "Geography of Sacred Sites of Kazakhstan." In each shift, children from different regions of the republic present their own region. To broaden and deepen the collective knowledge, ideals, and spiritual experience of the people along the centuries-old path of societal development, Ethics Hours titled "Open Your Heart to the World" and a course on "World Art Culture: A Meeting with Beauty" are conducted. This experimental work in nurturing personality based on cultural and moral values has become a continuation of the State Program's implementation.

Life at Baldauen is vibrant and dynamic; each year is filled with rallies, festivals, and exciting events. Over the 20 days of a shift, the Center's staff strives to create a psychological climate that allows every child to feel like a full-fledged and, most importantly, a needed member of society.

A significant event in the civil-patriotic direction was the opening of an Art Gallery on December 25, 2009, at the Republican Educational and Health Center "Baldauen." Children have the opportunity to interact with masters of contemporary art. During symposiums, artists and sculptors hold meetings with the children, conduct master classes, and teach them to be creators of aesthetic values and to appreciate both these values and the beauty of the surrounding reality. In their paintings, artists strive for self-expression through the language of metaphors and associations, drawing on traditional nomadic heritage. The artists' painting represents a wide range of new styles for traditional consciousness in a rapidly changing world.

It is difficult to grasp and fully describe the significance of Baldauen as a whole.

For children, it is an opportunity to spend interesting days filled with various celebrations and competitions among peers from other regions and countries, to learn something new, and to meet famous athletes, artists, and writers. For the state, it is about nurturing leaders, patriots, and the creative elite of our country.

Civil-Patriotic Shifts

Throughout the year, Baldauen holds 16 shifts, each with different thematic focuses: creative, social, environmental, intellectual, etc. In every shift, events of a patriotic nature take place: propaganda team performances, defense of social projects, evenings dedicated to historical dates. In each shift, a student government body is elected. However, several shifts each year are entirely dedicated to the patriotic education of children and youth.

Rally of Military-Patriotic Clubs and Associations

The main goal of the Rallies is to activate and improve the military-patriotic education of youth, to foster a high level of patriotic consciousness in adolescents, a sense of loyalty to their Fatherland, and readiness to fulfill their civic duty and constitutional obligations to defend the interests of their Motherland.

Participants in the Rallies include members of military-patriotic clubs and unions, and winning teams from regional competitions of such clubs and associations.

The Rally program includes the following competitions: a drill and song review, a patriotic song dramatization competition, a "Useful for Military Affairs" complex, a "Sniper" competition, and a "Defense" competition.

Republican Meetings of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan "Golden Bridge of Friendship"

Since 2003, Baldauen has held a traditional children's forum called the "Golden Bridge of Friendship." As part of the shift program, children are given the opportunity to demonstrate to their peers their level of language proficiency, knowledge of history and culture, and the traditions of the ethnic groups living under the shared "shanyrak" (symbolic roof) of friendship and harmony within sovereign Kazakhstan.

Children's Ethnographic Festival "Golden Heritage"

Priority areas of the ethno-pedagogical shifts include:
– Analysis of historical heritage through acquaintance with the customs and traditions of the Kazakh people;
– Development of the creative potential of shift participants through participation in creative workshops and competitions in the field of ethno-applied arts.

Young ethnographers actively participate in the implementation of the ethno-pedagogical program "Kazakh Ethno-village" and in master classes, where everyone has the opportunity to master the skills of folk art.

Republican Rally of Young Rescuers

The Rally program included the organization of master classes, an exhibition of emergency rescue equipment, demonstration performances by Ministry of Emergency Situations units, and presentations by "Young Rescuer" propaganda teams.

The main objectives of the rally are to acquire knowledge on the basics of civil defense, rescue and other emergency operations during accident, catastrophe, and natural disaster response, as well as applied physical and medical first aid for victims.

Republican Children's Environmental Forum "Earth – Our Common Home"

Objectives of the Forum:
– Formation of environmental culture and readiness for active nature conservation activities;
– Promoting the development of the children's environmental movement in Kazakhstan;
– Consolidation with adults in the search for solutions to environmental problems.

Participants in the shift wrote an address to their peers: "We, the young ecologists, on behalf of all Baldauen residents, want to launch a good initiative so that our address finds a response in the heart of every person living on Earth. Only all together, and only by uniting, will we keep our Earth green and flourishing!"

Over the course of 20 days, children participating in the shifts are immersed in activities where they are given the opportunity to:
• Demonstrate to their peers their level of language proficiency, knowledge of history and culture, and the traditions of ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan;
• Actively participate, together with adults, in finding solutions to civil-patriotic, environmental, and other issues.

Significant Events and Dates in the Field of Patriotic Education

2005
– On July 25, the Center was visited by the Head of State, Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, N.A. Nazarbayev.

2006
– The 1st Republican Gathering of Children’s Public Associations and Organizations of Kazakhstan was held; a commemorative monument with a time capsule titled “Message to a Peer of 2030” was unveiled.

2008
– On the initiative of the Center, the 1st Republican Gathering of Student Pedagogical Teams of the Republic of Kazakhstan was organized.

2009
– The “Baldauren” Art Gallery was opened.

2010
– The 51st International Mathematical Olympiad was held at the Center, with 526 participants from 98 countries.

2011
– On December 20, a replica of the “Victory Banner” was presented to the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren” by the International Public Organization “Commonwealth of Organizers of Children’s Recreation.”

2013
– International Festival of Counselor Teams (KVN format) at the Federal Children’s Center “Ocean,” Vladivostok. The KVN team “Zhastar” was awarded certificates, medals, and a diploma for 1st place;
– Online communication was held with international children’s centers “Zubrenok” (Belarus) and “Ocean” (Russia), as well as with the Association of Kazakhs in Kyrgyzstan.

2014
– Republican Gathering of Young Researchers “Our Knowledge for the Sake of the Motherland”;
– Republican Gathering of Pedagogical Teams of Kazakhstan (March 12–15);
– Republican Gathering of Leaders of Children’s Organizations of Kazakhstan (May 15–18);
– International meeting “Baldauren Invites Friends.”

2015
– International Relay Campaign “Honor to the Victory!”

2016
– Opening of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan;
– Academy Days held on April 25–27 and August 27–28;
– Opening of a branch of the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren” on the shore of the Kapchagay Reservoir in the Almaty region.

2017
– Republican Project Competition on Patriotic Education “I Am a Patriot of My Country” (November 15, 2016 – February 22, 2017);
– Republican Forum of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan (February 22–24);
– Republican workshop-seminar “The ‘Tugan Zher’ Program as the Foundation of National Patriotism” (November 1–4).

2018
– II Republican Forum of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan (February 21–23);
– Training session of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan (August 7–17);
– Opening of the second branch of the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren” in the Turkestan region.

2019
– Day of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan (February 22–24);
– Opening of the third branch of the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren” on the shore of Lake Balkhash in the Karaganda region;
– III Republican Forum of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan.

2020
– Academy Day;
– Campaign “Roll Call.”

2021
– Online Forum of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Academy.

2026 – 10th Anniversary of the Academy

A logical continuation of systematic work was the celebration of the Academy’s 10th anniversary in 2026.

Milestone forum titled  "The Future of the National In is the Hands of the Youth" was held at the Balkhash branch of the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren.” The forum brought together winners of regional, national, and international competitions, as well as active members and graduates of the Academy.

As part of the anniversary events, the following activities were organized:
– a ceremony of writing a letter to the future,  "Patriots Legasy";
– the project "Time Capsule Bag" , during which participants sent messages to the future via QR codes, to be opened in five years;
– a team-building event "National Values and Teamwork";
– TEDx-style presentations;
– a festive concert  "Being a Patriot Is an Honor!".

Thus, modern initiatives have become a continuation of the 2006 time capsule tradition, emphasizing the continuity of generations and the sustainability of patriotic valuеs

        

Authors of the Idea Behind the Creation of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan

Behind every stage of major work stands the dedication of its first leaders. Since August 2007, the General Director of the Republican Educational and Health Center “Baldauren” has been Mukhitdin Bekbolatovich Tolepbay His contribution to the development of the center is significant.

A passionate and idea-driven leader, he believes that children should прежде всего develop an active civic position. He consistently encouraged the center’s educators to carefully and persistently reveal each child’s creative potential, providing equal opportunities for every teenager to express themselves as an individual and to make informed choices about their future path.

Moreover, Mukhitdin Bekbolatovich is the initiator of the creation of the  Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan within “Baldauren.” Its graduates—young people from different regions of Kazakhstan—return to their hometowns and continue this important work, applying the skills they gained at the Academy. They regularly report back to the center on their activities.

During his leadership, “Baldauren” expanded and established branches in Balkhash Kapchagay and the Turkestan region In his welcoming address on the official website, Mukhitdin Tolepbay states:

“What life in ‘Baldauren’ will be like depends on us—adults. We are very proud that such a unique system has been created in the center, and every person working here is not случайный, but truly devoted to their profession and to children.”

His words reflect his personal dedication to his work, to children, and to his colleagues.

In addition to numerous honorary certificates and letters of appreciation, General Director M.B. Tolepbay was awarded the  "Eren Enbegi Ushin"medal, and in 2019 he received the "Ibrai Altynsarin" medal from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for his outstanding contribution to the upbringing of the younger generation.

 Tildash Ryskulbekovna Bituova worked for several years as the Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Gifted Children "Daryn" in Astana.

Even after retirement, as an active citizen, she initiated several major projects, including the Republican Scientific Projects Competition "Zerde" and the International Foundation  "Intellectusl-2050" She noted:

“There are more than 3 million school students in our country. Only about 600 of them can participate in olympiads. What about the rest? This intellectual competition opens not only the doors to knowledge but also the ability to find new ways to apply it.”

Since 2016, Tildash Ryskulbekovna has been one of the organizers of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan. Academy Days and Forums are regularly held with her active participation. In 2020, she and the General Director of the RSE “Baldauren,”  Serzhan Tulemetovich Alibayev, were admitted as Honorary Members of the Academy.

Concept of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan

Main Goal

The primary goal is to educate young patriots of Kazakhstan within the framework of understanding the national idea "Mangilik EL" proposed by the First President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The Academy aims to form a young patriotic elite that will become the core and driving force of patriotic education among youth in Kazakhstan. It seeks to develop high social activity, civic responsibility, spirituality, and the ability to demonstrate strong personal qualities in constructive activities for the benefit of the country, strengthening the state and ensuring its sustainable development.

Main Objective

The issue of fostering patriotism and citizenship is becoming increasingly significant and is now a matter of national importance in the context of global instability. In the face of globalization and challenges to cultural values, it is essential to instill in young Kazakhstanis a love for their country’s history, state language, rich culture, and traditions.

Educational Mission of the Academy

The key task of educators is to awaken in children, as early as possible, a love for their homeland and to develop qualities that will help them become достойные citizens. This includes fostering respect for family, school, hometown, and country, pride in national achievements, respect for the armed forces, and interest in public life.

Patriotism serves as the moral foundation of a state’s vitality and acts as an important internal resource for societal development. It includes emotional attachment, beliefs, and values shaped by social moral norms.

In 2016, at the April session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, the national format of Kazakhstani patriotism was officially adopted in the form of the Patriotic Act “Mangilik El.”

Key Directions for Implementation

To achieve its goals, the Academy focuses on:

• Developing a unified system of patriotic education for schoolchildren
• Promoting respect for Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage
• Increasing the prestige of public and military service
• Engaging youth in solving social, economic, cultural, legal, and environmental issues
• Fostering respect for the Constitution and laws of Kazakhstan
• Instilling pride in national symbols (Flag, Coat of Arms, Anthem)
• Promoting secular values and spiritual development
• Encouraging diligence, responsibility, and respect for labor
• Developing critical thinking to counter misinformation and anti-patriotic influences
• Promoting tolerance and interethnic harmony

Principles of Patriotic Education

The Academy’s work is based on the following principles:

• Creative pedagogical approach using diverse methods
• Active engagement, encouraging initiative and value transformation
• Universality, fostering pride in heritage and traditions
• Regional relevance, promoting both national and local patriotism

These principles are interconnected and implemented in unity.

Evaluation of Effectiveness

The effectiveness of patriotic education is assessed through objective criteria, including:

• Purposefulness and systematic organization
• Scientific methodology and modern educational technologies

The main indicator is the level of patriotism demonstrated by individuals and the younger generation as a whole, reflected in their civic mindset, values, and socially significant behavior.

Regulations on the Activities of the Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan

1. General Provisions

1.1. The Academy of Young Patriots of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – the Academy) was established by the decision of the Pedagogical Council dated February 22, 2016, under the Republican State Enterprise “Republican Educational and Health Center ‘Baldauren’” of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

It is an association of children and adults working in the field of civic and patriotic education.

1.2. The Academy operates in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, national laws “On the Rights of the Child” and “On Education,” as well as current legislation and state policy regarding children.

1.3. The Academy has its own logo, medal, “Patriot” certificate, and award system.

2. Goals and Objectives of the Academy

2.1. The Academy is established to develop patriotism in the younger generation, as well as high moral and spiritual values, and the ability for self-improvement and personal growth.