At a Government session, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Zhaslan Madiyev reported on the work being carried out to provide educational organizations with Internet access and on the launch of a pilot initiative to introduce artificial intelligence into the school curriculum.

He noted that the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry is systematically working to ensure that every schoolchild in the country has equal and high-quality access to modern technologies, knowledge, and opportunities for development.

In Kazakhstan, there are 8,042 schools, of which 7,917 are already connected to the Internet. This includes 4,663 schools via fiber-optic communication (FOC) and 3,254 schools via other technologies.

“Of these 3,254 schools, up to 450 can be connected to the Internet by building the ‘last mile’, since the fiber-optic line has already been extended to the settlement. In this regard, we request that akimats ensure the connection of these schools to fiber-optic communication by involving telecom operators or using their own resources,” Zhaslan Madiev said.

In addition, under the Investment Agreement between the Ministry and JSC “Kazakhtelecom,” in 2025–2026, at the partner’s expense, 2,010 schools will be connected to fiber-optic communication:

• in 2025 – 819 schools;

• in 2026 – 1,191 schools.

As a result of the project’s implementation, all schools will be provided with high-speed Internet access.

The Minister also announced the launch of a pilot initiative to introduce artificial intelligence into the school curriculum. The project is being implemented jointly with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and will cover all grades – from primary to high school.

The first stage of the program involves introducing AI in digital literacy lessons for students in grades 1–4. Free interactive Day of AI content will be used – lessons lasting 30–60 minutes with methodological materials for teachers and assignments for students. All content has been translated into Kazakh and Russian.

The second stage will cover grades 1–12, providing full coverage of schoolchildren – from basic knowledge to advanced AI skills. This stage will require additional adaptation of materials and will be launched later. The Ministry of Education has been recommended to make the Day of AI program mandatory.

During the meeting, the Minister also reported on the launch in Kazakhstan of TUMO creative technology centers. The project is aimed at the long-term development of digital competencies among young people and will be implemented according to international standards.

The centers will open in Astana and Almaty and will offer free training without exams or selection in 11 areas – from programming, robotics, and generative AI to graphic and web design, animation, 3D modeling, and music. Similar TUMO centers already operate in Paris, Berlin, Lisbon, and Zurich, equipping teenagers with modern skills in demand in the creative and technological industries.

According to Zhaslan Madiev, more than 10,000 schoolchildren in two cities are planned to be trained annually in Kazakhstan.

The Minister also spoke about the pilot implementation of the “Social Wallet” project – a digital service for targeted and transparent provision of state support measures. The project is being implemented as part of the President’s instruction on digitalization.

The first area of the project is the provision of free and subsidized school meals. Out of 6,943 public secondary schools, 2,369 are already fully equipped with modern hardware and software systems, and in 3,950 schools the “Business Wallet” application has been introduced to record and control the actual distribution of hot meals.

“Through the Social Wallet service in the eGov Mobile application, parents can check in real time whether their child has received hot meals, view the menu, and leave feedback. In the future, the functionality will be expanded to include preschool, secondary, and additional education services, tickets to camps, dormitory places, and other support measures. Local executive bodies need to complete equipping schools before the start of the academic year,” Zhaslan Madiev concluded.

#Education #Government session #Ministry of Digital Development

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