SCAFFOLD pedagogical practices competition: First winners announced!

The ETF is delighted to announce the winners of the first SCAFFOLD Awards competition and proudly highlight the inspiring practices developed by teachers from all Central Asian countries. These educators have shown how the SCAFFOLD tool can become a true resource for improving the quality of teaching and student engagement.

More than 80 applicants participated in the competition! After a strict and anonymous evaluation, 10 winners were selected, whose pedagogical practices were recognised as the most innovative and inspiring. In addition, another 24 applications received high scores from jury members and were included in a special ‘highly commended’ list along with the winners.

All recognised practices — both winners and highly commended participants — will be compiled into an online database, which will become an accessible and convenient platform for sharing experiences among teachers throughout the region. 

Read to the end — you might be on this list!

How was the evaluation conducted?

Each application was reviewed anonymously and evaluated by at least two jury members — one international expert and one national specialist. We express special gratitude to the national juries, which included teachers and experts who received the title of DARYA SCAFFOLD Trainer 2025. Thanks to their experience and dedication, the competition was held at a high level of objectivity and quality.

What did the participants do in practice?

They developed and tested creative lesson plans in a variety of subjects, demonstrating how the SCAFFOLD tool can improve teaching and increase student motivation.

The SCAFFOLD competition is an initiative aimed at supporting innovative educators from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, who are ready to share their ideas and methods with colleagues.

Winners by category

Category 1. Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Individual winners:

• Gulmira Meshitbayeva (Kazakhstan, B. Akhmetov Pedagogical College)
• Gulfajruz Jubatova (Kazakhstan, Karatau Construction Technical College)
• Jeren Gulmuradova (Turkmenistan, Khydyr Deryayev Pedagogical School)
• Latofat Islamova (Uzbekistan, Samarkand City Polytechnic No.1)

Team winners: 

• Team leader: Bibigul Turkina (Kazakhstan, B. Akhmetov Pedagogical College)
• Team leader: Maral Sagynalieva (Kyrgyzstan, Ala-Too International University)
• Team leader: Ogulshat Rejepowa (Turkmenistan, Aman Kekilov Pedagogical School)

Category 2. Schools 

• Dinara Kasabayeva (Kazakhstan, Qazguu School)
• Aygozel Ovelekova (Turkmenistan, School for Gifted Children No. 24, Mary City)

Category 3. Adult Education 

• Madeniyat Khabat (Kazakhstan, City Methodological Center)

   

Open the attached document below to find out if you are among the 24 highly commended participants!

It was a highly contested competition, and we are proud to showcase the strength and creativity of Central Asian teachers.

In addition, all individual winners and team leaders will receive an invitation to the DARYA summer school, which will take place from 5 to 8 August on Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. Here, they will be able to exchange experiences and develop cooperation within the framework of SCAFFOLD and Centres of Excellence in vocational education.

Let's continue building quality education in Central Asia — together with DARYA!