As an organisation connected with the recruitment of teachers for the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) in Kazakhstan, I am writing to express my grave disappointment at the tone of the article in last week’s TES (“Well, oil be ... Kazakhs turn to Brits for overhaul tips”, 25 May). The headline, standfirst and first paragraphs imply a scathing attack on Kazakhstan through words such as “despot president”, “dubious democracy” and “lured by”.
Since working with the NIS, Teachers International Consultancy has found the leaders, staff and recruitment team in Kazakhstan to be nothing but open, honest and exemplary in their development of the educational programme they are undertaking. The British and expatriate teachers who are already working there have renewed their one-year contracts because of the excellent experience and support that they have received from the Kazakh people and authorities. The derogatory tone of your article could put doubt into the plans of the many other British teachers considering these fantastic teaching opportunities with the NIS.
Andrew Wigford, Managing director, Teachers International Consultancy.