An anonymous letter purportedly written by employees of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education has circulated on social media, calling for the immediate resignation of Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova and alleging that she has lost the confidence of ministry staff.
The authors claim the ministry’s workplace environment has deteriorated significantly since Suleimenova took office.
“Instead of a stable professional environment based on respect, cooperation and trust, an atmosphere of tension, emotional pressure, uncertainty and fear for one’s professional future has emerged,” the letter states.
Allegations of workplace pressure
The letter lists more than 20 former heads of ministry departments and subordinate organizations who, according to the authors, were dismissed during Suleimenova’s tenure.
It also names about 10 current employees whom the authors claim are effectively facing dismissal after being subjected to disciplinary measures.
The authors further allege that ministry meetings and work-related events have been marked by emotional pressure, raised voices and public criticism of department officials and representatives of subordinate organizations.
“During staff meetings and work events, there have been instances of emotional pressure, raised voices and public expressions of dissatisfaction toward representatives of departments and subordinate organizations in an inappropriate and humiliating manner,” the letter says.
The authors also accuse the minister of delaying the approval of official documents, alleging that some remained unsigned for more than 10 days. They claim those delays later became grounds for internal investigations of ministry employees.
Authors seek independent review
According to the letter, the authors chose not to submit complaints through official channels, including the Civil Service Agency, because they feared a purely formal review and possible retaliation.
Instead, they appealed to the president to order an independent investigation into the allegations and ensure protection for employees willing to testify about conditions within the ministry.
Ministry rejects the allegations
The ministry said the anonymous appeal had not been officially submitted and announced plans to pursue legal action over its publication.
“The appeal, which has been distributed on social media through various news outlets and bloggers, has not been officially registered. Therefore, appropriate legal action will be initiated through the courts and law enforcement agencies regarding its distribution and publication,” the ministry’s press service said in a statement.
