At the Kokshetau Technical School-Lyceum, built under the “Comfortable School” programme, a system of “smart” video surveillance cameras has been introduced. A total of 170 devices with domestically developed software have been installed.
According to the Telegram channel “HALYQSTAN”, the cameras not only function as ordinary recorders but also operate in behaviour analysis mode. The algorithms can detect conflicts in classrooms, corridors, or on the school grounds. When an incident is detected, the system sends an alert to the administration within seconds, complete with a video recording and the exact location of the incident.
A key feature of the technology is emotion recognition. Artificial intelligence analyses the facial expressions of pupils and teachers: smiling, irritation, dejection, or a neutral state. All data is available to the school psychologist.
The director of the school-lyceum, Tilegen Amangeldi, stated that the system has already proven its effectiveness.
“Recently, one of the teachers was ‘caught’ by the camera looking dejected. After a conversation, it turned out he was having family difficulties. Another, on the contrary, was smiling all day — it was his birthday,” the director said.
An additional function of the cameras is protection against unauthorised entry. The system at the entrance identifies strangers and wanted individuals, and also reacts to attempts to bring in weapons. In such cases, a signal is sent to the police rapid response centre and the school security.
According to the school management, children have already stopped paying attention to the cameras. However, the system records around five contentious situations daily that require teachers’ attention.
It is worth recalling that earlier in Astana, a plenary session of the August Conference of education workers was held. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined key areas of reform in the education sector, emphasised the importance of the teaching profession, and instructed the government to accelerate the introduction of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) in schools.
The head of state also announced plans to amend the Law “On the Status of a Teacher” to strengthen the protection of teachers’ rights.