Measures to implement the Concept of Inclusive Policy for 2025–2030 were discussed at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova delivered a report on the development of inclusive education.

The Minister noted that the development of human capital is a key strategic priority for the country. At the IV session of the National Kurultai, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that every child with special educational needs must be provided with the opportunity to receive a full education.

Today, 6.9 million children live in Kazakhstan, accounting for 34% of the country’s population. Over the past decade, the child population has increased by 1.5 million. At the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year, more than 237,000 children with special educational needs (SEN) were registered, of whom 70,000 are of preschool age and 165,000 are of school age.

The network of special education organizations includes 539 units:

• 126 psychological, medical, and pedagogical commissions (PMPC);
• 240 correction rooms;
• 12 autism centers and 14 rehabilitation centers;
• 99 special schools and 48 special kindergartens.

According to the Ministry, 213,700 children with SEN are already receiving special psychological and pedagogical support. More than 96,000 children with SEN are studying in inclusive settings in general education schools.

To support inclusion, specialized rooms have been opened in more than 1,000 secondary education organizations, and another 40 units are planned to be launched this year.

In line with the Concept of Inclusive Policy, a system of career guidance has been introduced. The position of “career guidance teacher” has been added to school staff (4,500 specialists), and more than 1,000 specialized rooms have been opened. Specialists improve their qualifications at the Career Guidance Center under the National Academy of Education.

More than 11,000 special education teachers provide services to children with special needs. There remains a need for an additional 3,408 specialists, especially in major cities and densely populated regions.

To address the staffing issue:

• 5,424 students are studying in the specialty “special pedagogy” at 17 universities (2,087 of them on state order);
• 505 students are studying in the specialty “Speech Therapy” at colleges;
• The list of training areas has been expanded to 8 profiles in accordance with updated professional standards;
• Every year, more than 60,000 teachers undergo advanced training courses in the field of inclusion.

On the instruction of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, a unified Concept “Children of Kazakhstan” for 2026–2030 has been developed for the first time. One of its key indicators is a reduction in the proportion of children studying at home.

“Ensuring equal access to knowledge is our priority task. Thanks to the introduction of 6,500 teacher assistants and individual aides into school staff, the number of children studying at home has decreased by 11%. Around two thousand children have gained the opportunity to attend school and socialize with their peers,” Zhuldyz Suleimenova emphasized.

Currently, 17,000 children study at home, 83% of whom have disabilities. Work to increase the number of special classes and create a barrier-free environment continues on a systematic basis.

For quality education, 360 special educational programs, more than 300 textbooks, and 160 methodological recommendations have been developed.

A specialized Council has been established under the Ministry, which analyzes legislative acts, improves the content of programs, and develops infrastructure. The Ministry’s work is aimed at creating conditions for the full education and successful social adaptation of every child.

#Education #Government session #President's instruction

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