Oskemen Schools Move to Online Learning Amid Severe Air Pollution

Following persistent complaints from residents about poor air quality, students in Oskemen were transferred to online learning on October 24, Orda.kz reports.

The decision was made by the Akimat in coordination with the regional education department.

Due to prolonged adverse weather conditions (AWC) of the 2nd degree, all schools in Oskemen will switch to distance learning on October 24, 2025. This decision was made based on an official letter from the Kazhydromet branch of the East Kazakhstan region,
 the message says.

For nearly a week, residents have reported unbearable air quality in the city. On October 22, Oskemen was covered in a thick “fog,” which, according to meteorologists, was not a natural weather event.

The strong smell of gas and smoke prompted parents to demand a shift to remote learning. Initially, the city’s education department stated there were no grounds for such a decision.

Original Author: Raushan Korzhumbekova