The issues of preparation for the new school year were considered at the government session chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Alikhan Smailov.

The Minister of Education, Askhat Aimagambetov, reported that a number of innovations will be introduced in the new school year, which begins on September 1 and will last for 36 weeks until May 31.

So, according to the results of the special research, it was found that it is difficult for a first-grader to learn three languages at once. In this regard, it was decided to teach lessons only in Kazakh at State language schools, and to teach Kazakh and Russian at Russian language schools. In state language schools it was decided that Russian would be introduced in the second year, and English would be introduced in all schools from the third grade.

In addition, the institute of rotation of administrators and new principles of teacher recruitment were being introduced, including through the National Qualification Test, and parents' meetings would be held in a modern and efficient format.

This year, the State order for training in colleges in in-demand specialties was increased to 70%, the quota of admission of children from certain categories was expanded to 50%. Colleges together with employers have updated more than 4 thousand educational programs.

According to the data of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, there are 120 higher educational institutions in the country, 104 of which underwent renovation works.

In 2022-2023 academic year the state order amounted to 88,214 places, of which 42,303 grants are allocated to technical specialties. Herewith from the new academic year the grants for bachelors will increase 20% (from 31,423 tenge to 36,660 tenge, for students of pedagogical direction up to 58,800 tenge), for masters and doctoral candidates by 15% (from 76,950 tenge up to 86,987 tenge and from 172,500 tenge up to 195,000 tenge respectively), which will cover about 161 thousand of students.

Akim of Abay region Nurlan Urankhaev, Akim of Zhetysu region Beibit Isabaev, and Akim of Ulytau region Berik Abdigaliev, reported on readiness of new regions for the academic year.

The Prime Minister pointed out that 81 new schools are to be opened in the country by September 1, and 213 more are to be fully repaired. At the same time, there is a risk of incomplete repair in schools of West Kazakhstan, Turkestan, Almaty regions and the city of Almaty.

"These regions should take rapid measures to complete the repairs within the established time frame. The same applies to the planned construction of schools," Alikhan Smailov said.

The Head of State drew attention to the fact that not all educational facilities meet the safety requirements. So, according to him, it is necessary to take appropriate measures as soon as possible, including the integration of video surveillance systems in schools with operational police control centers.

The Prime Minister also said that in order to provide transportation for children this year 515 new buses are being purchased, and low-income families will receive money (not less than 37 thousand tenge per child) to purchase school clothes and stationery, which will affect more than 470 thousand children.

In addition, for coverage of youth vocational training this year, state order was increased up to 128 thousand places, number of grants for studying in universities was increased up to 88 thousand, admission to three new branches of leading foreign universities on engineering and technical directions, was started.

"In general, all the necessary measures to ensure the readiness of both the infrastructure and the educational process were taken by the beginning of the school year," Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

Following the session, the Head of State instructed to ensure the readiness of all educational facilities to the beginning of the school year for 100%.

The Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Ministry of Internal Affairs was instructed to consider the issue of introducing the study of traffic rules in the educational program with the involvement of existing inspectors.

Regional Akimats should ensure 100% coverage of children in need of state support measures.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade and Integration in conjunction with the Atameken Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the akimats were instructed to work out the issues of stabilizing the prices for school supplies, and the Ministry of Industry in conjunction with the Atameken Chamber of Entrepreneurs was instructed to work out the cost of school uniforms.

The Prime Minister also instructed to ensure delivery of the required number of textbooks to schools and to take all measures to provide non-resident students of universities and colleges with places in campus dormitories.