At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, readiness for the start of the new academic year was reviewed.

Minister of Education Zhuldyz Suleimenova reported on the readiness of preschool, secondary, and technical and vocational education organizations for the new academic year; Minister of Science and Higher Education Saiasat Nurbek reported on the readiness of universities; Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova reported on the sanitary and epidemiological readiness of educational facilities; Minister of Internal Affairs Yerzhan Sadenov reported on ensuring security at educational facilities; and First Vice-Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Rostislav Konyashkin reported on internet provision and the digitalization of schools. The akims of Atyrau, Almaty, Akmola, and Pavlodar regions were also heard.

The Prime Minister noted that improving the quality of education and creating the necessary conditions for the education and development of children are among the key tasks of the state.

“In the New Constitution, the affirmation of the values of diligence, progress, and knowledge is enshrined as fundamental principles. Special importance is attached to the development of education and human capital. The principles laid down in the Basic Law must find practical reflection in the quality of education, the upbringing of the younger generation, and the creation of equal opportunities for every child. Therefore, our task is to ensure not only an organized start to the academic year, but also the necessary conditions for high-quality education and the comprehensive development of children,” Olzhas Bektenov noted.

The Head of Government emphasized the importance of forming legal and environmental culture, civic responsibility, and respect for the principle of “Law and Order” among children and youth. Educational work must be based on the principles of the Unified Programme “Adal Azamat” and the nationwide initiative “Taza Qazaqstan”, with close interaction between school and family, and must be oriented toward concrete results.

“On the instruction of the Head of State, the construction and modernization of educational facilities is underway. On 1 September, 47 new schools will open their doors, including 20 under the ‘Keleshek mektepteri’ project. Regional akimats must ensure their full functional readiness for the start of the academic year. All families in need of state support must be provided with material and social assistance. For this purpose, funds have been allocated in local budgets to cover more than 400 thousand children. I instruct the akims of the regions to ensure targeted assistance and to take timely measures in each specific case,” Olzhas Bektenov instructed.

The Prime Minister noted that the implementation of new projects has already ensured positive dynamics in addressing the problems of triple-shift education and the shortage of student places. At the same time, the construction of another 64 schools must be completed by the end of 2026. Olzhas Bektenov stressed that regions must already resolve all issues related to providing the facilities being commissioned with teaching staff and the necessary educational and technical base.

Particular attention was drawn to the importance of the timely completion of major and current repairs in 106 schools across the country by 1 September. The Head of Government noted the low pace of work at 13 facilities in Almaty, Abai, Akmola, West Kazakhstan, Ulytau, Almaty, Aktobe, East Kazakhstan, and Mangystau regions. The Prime Minister instructed the akims of these regions to take personal control over the completion of repair works within the established deadlines.

By 1 September, 500 subject classrooms for physics, chemistry, biology, and robotics must also be purchased. In total, more than 1,400 such classrooms are planned to be installed in schools across the country by the end of the year. A number of regions were instructed to resolve financing issues as soon as possible. First and foremost, this concerns Almaty, Karaganda, North Kazakhstan, Atyrau, Ulytau, and Akmola regions. The Prime Minister instructed that all necessary procedures for the prompt procurement of equipment be accelerated.

The Prime Minister also addressed the issue of the advanced construction of infrastructure and social facilities.

“Yesterday, at a meeting on economic development issues, the Head of State named the advanced construction of infrastructure and social facilities as one of the main priorities. All government agencies and akimats must keep this issue under control when forming budgets for the coming period,” the Head of Government instructed.

The Prime Minister emphasized that digital infrastructure directly affects the quality of education and the possibilities for introducing AI, and therefore the availability of high-speed internet in schools is one of the priority tasks. The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, together with telecom operators and akimats, was instructed to keep the issue of stable high-speed internet under constant control, especially in remote villages. At all levels of education, special attention must be paid to the development of digital technologies and the introduction of artificial intelligence, primarily to improve the quality and effectiveness of the educational process. Issues of children’s safety must be under special control.

“I instruct the regional akimats, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Ministry of Education, to eliminate as soon as possible shortcomings in ensuring safe road infrastructure near schools, as well as their fire and anti-terrorist protection,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs was instructed, within the framework of the ongoing “Attention – Children!” measures, to check the implementation of previously issued instructions. The action plan itself must be extended until the end of September, with special emphasis on the prevention of child road traffic injuries.

The akimats of Kostanay and North Kazakhstan regions, as well as other regions, were instructed to ensure by the end of the year that video surveillance cameras from all schools are connected to the operational control centres of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Prime Minister stressed that the functions of police officers assigned to schools must not be limited to conducting legal and explanatory classes. Preventive measures to prevent unlawful actions in the children’s and youth environment must be expanded and intensified.

The Prime Minister named balanced and high-quality school meals as one of the important conditions for the full development and successful education of children. The Ministry of Healthcare and regional akimats were instructed to establish permanent control over the quality of products and compliance with sanitary standards. The task was also set to ensure high-quality preparation of infrastructure, dormitories, and educational programmes of colleges and universities for the start of the academic year. The Ministries of Education and of Science and Higher Education, together with the akimats, were instructed to ensure full readiness for the start of the new academic year by the end of August.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Education #Government session

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