As is widely known, winter weather in our country can be highly unpredictable. At times, weather conditions make it almost impossible to go outside, let alone remain outdoors for any period of time; therefore, the educational process in our country is often shifted to a distance learning format.

Pursuant to the Rules for organizing the educational process through distance learning in secondary, supplementary, technical and vocational, and post-secondary education institutions, including during adverse weather conditions, as well as in the event of a state of emergency, the introduction of restrictive measures, including quarantine, in the relevant administrative and territorial units (or at specific facilities), or the declaration of emergency situations, distance learning shall be conducted in the following manner:

Distance learning implemented during adverse weather conditions is aimed at protecting the life and health of students.

For the organization of distance learning during adverse weather conditions, the regional education departments, as well as the education departments of the cities of Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, and district (city) education departments should approve the following prior to the start of the academic year:

1. indicators of adverse weather conditions under which classes in educational institutions are shifted to distance learning, in accordance with the geographical and climatic conditions of the region, as well as taking into account the age characteristics of students, in coordination with the relevant territorial government authorities;
2. a system for timely notification of parents and students about the transition to distance learning due to adverse weather conditions, taking into account local specifics, with an indication of responsible persons, as well as the forms and methods of timely notification.

Information on the announcement of the transition to distance learning due to adverse weather conditions should be provided to the public by the authorized education management authorities:

1. through local television and radio channels;
2. on the official websites of educational institutions and education management authorities;
3. on the social media pages and messaging platforms of educational institutions and education management authorities;
4. through class teachers.

Notification on the organization of the educational process through distance learning due to adverse weather conditions should be carried out from 06:45 to 08:00 for the first shift, and from 11:15 to 13:00 for the second and third shifts.

The decision to organize the educational process through distance learning in educational institutions due to adverse weather conditions, based on the approved indicators of adverse weather conditions, should be formalized by an order of the head of the educational institution or an authorized acting person and communicated to the relevant education management authority from 06:00 to 07:00 for the first shift, and from 10:30 to 12:00 for the second and third shifts.

The order on the organization of the educational process through distance learning due to adverse weather conditions should specify the following:

1. the classes, groups, and shifts for which distance learning is implemented;
2. the operating schedule of the educational institution;
3. designated members of the administration of the educational institution responsible for ensuring that all participants in the educational process are informed of this order;
4. responsible teaching staff tasked with receiving students and ensuring their safe departure home.

The order on the organization of the educational process through distance learning due to adverse weather conditions should be posted on the official website and on the information boards of the educational institution immediately after its approval.

In boarding educational institutions, the organization of the educational process through distance learning during adverse weather conditions should be carried out with due regard to the students’ living conditions.

On days when the educational process is organized through distance learning due to adverse weather conditions, the activities of the educational institution should be carried out in accordance with the approved operating schedule; the activities of teaching staff should be carried out in accordance with the established teaching workload and class schedule; and the activities of other employees should be carried out in accordance with their working hours and shift schedules.

For students who attend classes on days when the educational process is organized through distance learning due to adverse weather conditions, all types of activities (academic classes, supplementary education, club activities, and extended day groups), as well as the provision of hot meals, should be ensured in full in accordance with the class schedule approved by the head of the institution and agreed with the founder.

In order to ensure that students complete educational programmes in full, teachers apply various forms of distance learning, including forms of independent study. Information on the forms of instruction applied and the types of independent work is communicated by teachers and class teachers to students, their parents, or other legal representatives.

In the context of distance learning in secondary education institutions:

1. strict records are maintained of students who have joined classes on days when the educational process is organized through distance learning, and information on the number of such students is reported to the head of the educational institution;
2. an organized return of students home after the completion of classes is ensured, accompanied by parents or other legal representatives;
3. the placement of information in students’ diaries is ensured, and the Rules for organizing the educational process through distance learning on days of adverse weather conditions are communicated to parents (legal representatives);
4.  parents (legal representatives) are informed about the outcomes of their children’s educational activities on days when the educational process is organized, including information on the conditions for applying distance learning formats and students’ independent work.

In the event that a student is absent from or does not connect to classes when the educational process is organized through distance learning on days of adverse weather conditions, the student should independently complete the assigned tasks and submit them in accordance with the requirements established by the educational institution and set by teachers.