Kazakhstan schools go remote as extreme cold grips the nation
Extreme cold has forced schools and colleges in Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar and North Kazakhstan regions to switch to remote learning. The change took effect on the morning of January 15, affecting thousands of students. Public transport has also been restricted as temperatures plummet to dangerous lows.
Temperatures in Pavlodar are forecast to reach –37°C (–34.6°F) on January 15. In North Kazakhstan, readings will drop between –30°C and –35°C (–22°F to –31°F). Authorities acted quickly to protect students from the harsh conditions.
Classes for grades 1–11 and first- and second-year college students in Pavlodar moved online for the morning. North Kazakhstan followed suit, cancelling in-person lessons for the same groups. No specific schools or colleges were named in public reports. The freezing weather has also disrupted public transport across both regions. Buses, trams, and other services face delays or suspensions to avoid exposing passengers to the extreme cold.
The shift to remote learning aims to keep students safe during the cold snap. Transport restrictions will remain until conditions improve. Officials continue to monitor the situation as temperatures stay well below freezing.
