Will SOR and SOCH be abolished? New rules for assessing schoolchildren proposed in Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz — Kazakhstan is proposing changes to school grading rules. The Ministry of Education has prepared a draft decree that could see primary schools move away from the current SOR and SOCH systems (Summative Assessment for the Unit and Summative Assessment for the Term).
The document has been published on the "Open NPA" (Open Legal Acts) portal and is currently open for public discussion.
What will change for students
If the project is approved, the innovations will affect students in grades 2 through 4.
Currently, students undergo summative assessments — SOR and SOCH. However, the ministry proposes replacing them with a different system. Instead of summative assessment, it plans to use formative assessment, along with thematic and final controls.

"In grades 2–4, the assessment of students' academic achievements shall be carried out through formative assessment, thematic, and final control," the document states.

Meanwhile, the existing system will remain largely unchanged for students in grades 5–11 (12). They will continue to undergo formative and summative assessments (BZhB and TZhB) as they do now.
How quarterly grades will be assigned
Despite the changes in testing methods, quarterly grades will remain.

"Quarterly grades are issued based on assessment results and are aimed at ensuring an objective evaluation of students' academic achievements," the document notes.

In other words, the final grade will still depend on knowledge control results. Only the assessment approach itself will change for students in grades 2–4.
Why the system change is being proposed
In the explanatory note to the draft decree, the Ministry of Education noted that the changes are aimed at improving the assessment system and creating a more transparent approach to evaluating students' knowledge.
The document's developers believe that the adoption of the decree will not lead to socio-economic or other negative consequences.
The project is currently out for public discussion. It will last until August 21, 2026, after which a decision will be made on its approval or amendment.
Notably, starting this new academic year, Kazakhstan's schools will introduce new mandatory subjects and courses. A "Foundations of the Constitution" subject is being introduced for students in grades 5–7. In grades 8–11, a mandatory course titled "Law and Order" will be taught. Additionally, a mandatory "Personal Safety" course is being introduced for students in grades 5–11.
Read also: New subjects to appear in Kazakhstani schools