Rural schools form the basis of the education system in nearly every country around the world. With half of the world’s population living in rural areas, hundreds of millions of rural students attend school every day under conditions that demand special attention from both society and the state. Supporting rural schools is not merely a matter of ensuring equal access to education – it is a cornerstone of sustainable development, social stability, and long-term progress.

How are rural schools evolving today? What global initiatives are being implemented in Kazakhstan in this field? How does social partnership contribute to the improvement of education? What challenges do rural educators face? In this issue, we explore the projects that are already transforming rural education – from hub schools that are opening new horizons for the regions to professional development programs for teachers and innovative methods and technologies that are reshaping the learning experience.

This issue is on the powerful impact of collective action – the daily efforts that bring us closer to quality education for every child.