(20 February 2026 | Source: Telegram channel «HALYQSTAN»)
In Atyrau, the court case concerning the private school LETS School, which operated for less than an academic year, has concluded. The court established that the project began its activities without a licence, despite active advertising and signed contracts with parents who had paid for a year's tuition in advance.
HOW THE SCHOOL STARTED OPERATING
According to case materials, the school opened on 1 September 2024. The institution offered advanced preparation, lessons until 18:00, additional courses for admission to Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), preparation for the Unified National Testing (ENT), as well as meals and student transport, reports Telegram channel «HALYQSTAN».
The investigation established that at the time it began operating, the school did not have a licence for educational activities. However, contracts were signed with parents that required mandatory annual prepayment.
On average, families paid around 1 million tenge per child. In some cases, the amount from one family totalled several million tenge when two or more children were enrolled.
WHY LESSONS STOPPED
During the first few months, as stated in the case materials, lessons took place according to the schedule. However, by winter, salary delays began. Teachers stopped coming to work, and lessons were cancelled.
In February 2025, the school ceased its activities. Parents had to urgently transfer their children to state schools in the middle of the academic year.
According to the investigation, the total damage amounted to nearly 120 million tenge. More than 100 parents were recognised as victims.
THE DEFENDANT'S POSITION AND THE COURT'S DECISION
The project leader did not admit guilt. In court, he insisted that he had no intention to deceive, and that the funds received were used for renovations, renting premises, purchasing equipment, and paying salaries. In his words, the project could not withstand the financial burden.
The court did not accept these arguments.
He was found guilty under paragraph 2 of part 4 of article 190 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Fraud on an especially large scale”). The court sentenced him to six years' imprisonment to be served in a medium-security facility.
Additionally, the convicted individual is banned from holding managerial positions in commercial and financial organisations for a period of six years.
At the time of the verdict, the damages to the victims had not been compensated.