In 2022, access of Kazakhstanis to quality education will expand. This will be facilitated by an increase in the number of student places through the construction of 200 new schools. Qualified teachers will be attracted to the educational organizations. For this, the ministry has already initiated the provision of a social package. Safe and comfortable conditions for learning will be created in kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities, and control over the quality of educational services will also be strengthened. All topical issues, the results of work in the field of education and science for 2021 and tasks for 2022 were discussed at the expanded meeting of the board of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yeraly Tugzhanov took part in the collegium. The meeting was moderated by the Minister of Education and Science Askhat Aimagambetov.

In the field of preschool education, a single database of queues for kindergartens across the country will be created. This will ensure transparency in the distribution of places, targeted funding and avoidance of duplication. Measures will be taken to improve the quality of work of preschool organizations, especially private kindergartens.

First Vice Minister of Education and Science Sholpan Karinova noted that special attention will also be paid to improving the qualifications of teachers and reducing the gap in knowledge between urban and rural students.

“This year, at least 70,000 teachers will take refresher courses on new educational programs. A special program will also be implemented to attract the best teachers to the Mangystau, Atyrau, Almaty and Turkistan regions. They will be provided with significant social support — an increased wage rate, payment for housing rent and utilities. These measures are aimed at narrowing the gap in the quality of education in these regions,” said First Vice Minister Sholpan Karinova.

Measures to support gifted children will be continued, the ministry is making the necessary amendments to the legislation. They provide grants for winners of intellectual competitions to study at universities without passing the UNT. The department also initiated the payment of one-time cash prizes to both winners of international subject Olympiads and teacher-trainers who prepared the winners. It is planned that the owners of the gold medal will be able to receive a cash reward in the amount of 1—500 MCI, the silver medal — 1,000 MCI, the bronze medal — 500 MCI.

On behalf of the Head of State, the volume of state orders for college education will be increased. This year, more than 120,000 Kazakhstanis will be able to receive free technical and vocational education, which is 25,000 more than last academic year. It is planned to strengthen interaction with enterprises to organize their patronage over colleges and expand dual education.

In the higher education system, the ministry plans to introduce a new teaching tool. We are talking about a new format — online learning. The first online universities will open in the country. It is also planned to open branches of leading foreign universities. And the number of grants for studying at universities will increase by 5,000. Work has also begun on reorienting the Bolashak program.

“According to the instruction of the Head of State, the emphasis will be placed on training personnel in technical areas. Grants for technical and IT areas will be increased from 40% to 60%. The issue of allocating grants for graduates of schools in the western regions is being worked out: Mangystau, Atyrau regions. In addition, the issue of providing educational grants to the children of military personnel, law enforcement officers and special state bodies who died while performing tasks to protect public order will be worked out,” said Vice Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kuanysh Yergaliyev.

In 2021, funding for science has doubled. Scientists are provided with new opportunities for the implementation of scientific ideas.

The material and technical renovation of research institutes will continue, and a set of measures will be taken to strengthen the interaction between universities and research institutes.

2022 has been declared the Year of Children by the Head of State. Therefore, special attention will be paid to protecting the rights and interests of minors and creating comfortable conditions for the life, education and development of children.

“Currently, a draft law on the protection of the rights of the child, initiated by deputies of the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is being approved. A number of amendments will be adopted, including on the prevention of bullying among minors, the activities of psychological services. The Ministry is working on a draft Comprehensive Action Plan for the Year of Children, which includes 8 different areas. Among them are quality education, full-fledged additional education and upbringing, strengthening and protecting the health of children and other issues,” said Vice Minister of Education and Science Bibigul Assylova.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yeraly Tugzhanov, who took part in the expanded meeting of the board, gave a positive assessment of the activities of the ministry and noted the importance of high-quality execution of instructions given by the Head of State.

“The ministry has done a lot of work. Within two weeks, with the direct participation of the minister, answers were given to 1,000 questions from citizens. This shows that the minister is in direct contact with the citizens in the first place. Second, I believe that all issues are being resolved, the ministry is taking concrete measures. In the future, it is also necessary to ensure the fulfillment of all instructions of the Head of State aimed at improving the social well-being of the population, including by reformatting the education system. From these positions, a lot of work remains to be done on the main levels, directions for the development of the education system,” summed up the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yeraly Tugzhanov.