A video filmed in the yard of a school in Pavlodar has circulated on social media, showing teachers allegedly burning the national flag and smashing the state coat of arms with hammers. The footage sparked public concern and raised many questions among users.
It was later confirmed that the incident took place on February 5 in the courtyard of the Mashkhur Zhusup School. The video shows a group of people placing the flag into a bucket and setting it on fire, after which several individuals break the coat of arms with hammers and collect the fragments in a plastic bag.
However, the city education department stated that the actions were lawful. According to officials, a special school commission was carrying out the disposal of state symbols that did not comply with national standards and technical requirements. The procedure was conducted in accordance with established regulations and documented by an official report. The video was recorded solely for reporting purposes.
The Pavlodar education department emphasized that the footage was intended strictly for internal use and was not meant to be shared publicly. Due to insufficient oversight in organizing and conducting the procedure, the school principal received a strict reprimand. Officials also noted that the disposal of state symbols is a highly sensitive matter and must be handled carefully, without dissemination on social media.
The identity of the person who published the internal video online has not yet been determined.
How state symbols are disposed of
Worn-out or non-compliant flags and coats of arms must be replaced by the owners of the buildings where they are displayed. A special commission is formed for this purpose.
Methods of disposal
State symbols are destroyed in a way that prevents any possibility of reuse:
- burning;
- melting;
- crushing or shredding into small pieces (each no larger than 2.5 square centimeters);
- converting into a shapeless mass or powder.
Liability for violations
Improper disposal is considered illegal use of state symbols and is punishable by a fine of 50 MCI (in 2026 — 216,250 tenge).
Desecration of state symbols carries criminal liability:
- a fine of up to 3,000 MCI (12,975,000 tenge);
- or corrective/community service;
- or restriction or deprivation of liberty for up to two years.
Earlier, authorities reported that in the Uyghur District of the Almaty Region, police detained a group of individuals who burned the national flag and an image of a foreign head of state. Twelve people were arrested for 15 days.
