Is Wearing a Hijab Allowed in Schools: Ministry of Education Clarifies Uniform Requirements

Headwear is strictly prohibited inside school buildings across Kazakhstan. Ahead of the new academic year, the Ministry of Education clarified the regulations governing mandatory school uniforms. According to the ministry, the Kazakh Constitution establishes a clear separation between religion and the state, ensuring that the country's education and upbringing systems remain purely secular.

Specific uniform styles are determined through collaboration among the school board, parents' committee, and student self-government bodies, with the final design approved in the minutes of a general parents' meeting. For safety reasons, uniforms must be free of accessories or elements that could cause injury, and internal school rules prohibit wearing headwear inside the premises. Parents are free to purchase uniforms from any retailer or manufacturer of their choice, as school administrations are forbidden from requiring or favoring specific vendors.

Additionally, approximately 23 billion KZT from local budgets has been allocated to assist nearly 450,000 children from vulnerable families with acquiring uniforms, footwear, and learning supplies. Under the Law "On Education," parents are legally obligated to ensure compliance with school rules and mandatory uniform standards.