More than 1,300 schools have been built in Kazakhstan over the past 7 years while the number of educational institutions operating on a three-shift basis has fallen 4 fold.
Free hot meals are provided to all primary school pupils, as well as secondary and upper-secondary students from vulnerable groups, El.kz reports citing the Enlightenment Ministry.
Reducing the shortage of school places
Schools built since 2019 have added capacity for 1.1 mln students. Over this period, the overall shortage of school places has decreased 4 fold, while the number of unsafe schools has been halved.
Under the national project Keleshek Mektepteri 217 schools of a new format have been constructed, 84 of which are located in rural areas. The schools built under the project provide a total capacity of 460,000 student places.
The commissioning of these new facilities has resolved the capacity issues at 54 schools operating on a three-shift basis and 14 unsafe schools. The shortage of school places has also been reduced at over 100 other schools.
How recovered assets are being used
The Education Infrastructure Support Fund was established in 2023. It receives assets recovered from individuals involved in corruption. The Fund finances the construction of new schools and additional school buildings, as well as the renovation of existing facilities in areas experiencing the most acute shortages of school places.
The Fund has financed the construction of 90 educational facilities, providing capacity for nearly 100,000 students. Of these, 83 have already been commissioned, while the remaining seven are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Schools are also being constructed using funds from the national and local budgets, as well as private investment. Infrastructure planning takes into account projected student enrolment in the coming years, areas where school capacity is already insufficient, and the condition of existing school buildings.
Who is eligible for free hot meals?
According to the Enlightenment Ministry, over 1.7 mln schoolchildren receive free hot meals. Since 2023, the programme has covered all primary school pupils, numbering more than 1.4 mln nationwide. It also extends to 230,000 secondary and upper-secondary school students from socially vulnerable groups.
The Government allocates over 210 bln tenge annually to school meal provision. The Social Wallet system and vouchers are used to administer and account for school meals. In small rural schools with low enrolment, arrangements are made for the delivery of prepared meals, and modular canteens are installed.
According to the Ministry, over 45,000 contracts have been concluded with food service providers. Compliance with food quality and safety requirements is monitored by food quality inspection commissions and interagency expert groups.
