Love One's Motherland: Deputies Discuss Patriotic Education

Orda reports on Majilis deputies' first reading of the draft law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Issues of Military-Patriotic Education."

Positive Image

The deputies initiated the draft law. The document's explanatory note states that the amendments aim to create a comprehensive system of military-patriotic education for Kazakhstan's citizens and involve all state bodies and organizations. 

The Chair of the Chamber Committee on International Affairs, Defense and Security, Aigul Kuspan, presented the document at the plenary session.

She stated that today's youth are in no hurry to join the military, look for ways to "dodge" it, and have little pride in their country. A poor upbringing is the root cause:

Patriotic education of children and youth, education of a sense of honest service to the homeland, civic duty and fulfillment of basic constitutional obligations does not meet the requirements of modern times. The interaction of the authorized bodies responsible for this is formal. It does not provide a comprehensive solution to the problems of forming patriotic consciousness in citizens,said Aigul Kuspan.

To change the situation, a group of Majilis deputies initiated the following amendments:

The bill provides for introducing a new article 14-1 into the law, “On Military Service and The Status of Military Personnel.” It will define the concepts of “military-patriotic education” and “system of military-patriotic education.” 

Deputies propose to include military-patriotic education (MPE) in the curricula of additional education.

The document proposes coordinating MPE councils at the national and regional levels. 

Those who must serve in the military can choose whether to participate in military training or undergo paid military training at their place of residence.

Deputies introduced an amendment providing a deferment from military service only once for one level of education. 

Information about conscripts will be updated automatically from the relevant information systems with proactive provision of services. 

It is proposed to terminate the obligation to work off tuition for citizens who have completed military service by conscription and under a contract. The preservation of work, the positions held, and wages for citizens subject to conscription during the period of passing the medical commission are also provided. 

Citizens who forgo the deferment and are called up for military service are guaranteed to retain their educational grant and will not be expelled from the academic organization during the service period. 

The bill creates conditions for training the army of specialists needed in the real sector of the economy. First, these are category D and CE drivers.

It is planned to create feature films and documentaries, music, literary works, and programs on national TV channels and provide information on social networks to form a positive image of Kazakhstan's army among young people. 

MP Amanjol Altay recalled the flow of negative materials in the media dedicated to the situation in the Armed Forces:

The facts when healthy young people go to the army and return injured, with conditions and injuries. This information demotivates young people to go to the army and serve the Motherland. Obviously, we do not have enough positive content on military topics,concluded Amanjol Altay. 

Aigul Kuspan acknowledged that there are cases of suicide, theft, and violence in the army.

However, she says such cases can occur in military and civilian life. In general, "there are many facts in the information field that do not correspond to reality." 

Therefore, the head of the committee proposed posting positive content.

According to her, the bill provides for creating a coordinating council, and positive content will be among its functions. 

Unanswered

When discussing the bill, deputies proposed ideas of varying relevance and realism. 

Anas Bakkozhayev believes that basic military training in schools should begin at 13, as "Kazakhs believe that this is an important age, from which adult life begins."

The deputy proposed holding basic military training competitions not once a year but three or four times to develop patriotism. 

Yerlan Sairov, in turn, said the family is a stronghold of patriotism. And it was noted that there are few marriages and many divorces in Kazakhstan. 

Majilis deputy Abzal Kuspan proposed increasing the number of conscripts and military departments.

Meanwhile, Bakytzhan Bazarbek said:

I often communicate with young people, and I have not seen anyone with patriotism in their eyes. Many do not even understand the meaning of the word "patriotism". Who is a patriot? Is it an entrepreneur who pays taxes on time or an official who does not launder state money? Who is a patriot? Is it a young man who saved a dog that fell into the water or a tamada who sings Kaldayakov's songs? Or is a patriot an oppositionist who scolds deputies?

The deputy was unsatisfied with Deputy Minister of Defense Shaikh-Khasan Zhazykbaev's answer. He said any citizen who works conscientiously and fulfills his civic duty can be called a patriot. 

Based on your words, a doctor, a teacher, a civil servant who do their job, they are patriots. You yourself do not fully understand your bill. A patriot is, first and foremost, a law-abiding person. By observing the laws, we instill love for the Motherland. And conscientious fulfillment of one's duties has a different meaning, stated Bakytzhan Bazarbek.

Yerlan Sairov supported his colleague. In his opinion, social injustice negatively impacts the development of patriotism in young people. 

If there is no social justice, if our society continues to be divided into rich and poor, then, of course, the feeling of patriotism among both young people and adults will decline. Equality of citizens before the law is of great importance. A patriot is a fighter who fights for the people, for his country. This is, first and foremost, a person who is concerned about preventing conflict situations in the country, The Majilis member said.

As a result, the question "Who is a patriot?" remained without a clear answer.

The Chamber approved the bill in the first reading; now, the deputies must work on it and make changes and additions.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya