Ahead of Republic Day, celebratory billboards featuring indicators of the country’s development over the past seven years have appeared in cities across Kazakhstan. They highlight achievements in school and hospital construction, housing development, cultural infrastructure and family support. According to the figures displayed on the billboards, 88 trillion tenge was allocated to the social sector during this period, El.kz reports.
The festive displays feature the colours of the national flag. Instead of conventional congratulatory messages, some billboards present specific indicators, including the number of new social infrastructure facilities, expenditure on education and healthcare, housing construction volumes and the results of rural gasification.
Over 1,000 news schools and kindergartens
Education accounts for a significant share of social expenditure. According to the figures presented, 1,342 schools opened in Kazakhstan over the past seven years.
The construction of new educational institutions is particularly important in localities experiencing growth in the child population and a persistent shortage of school places. This challenge also affects rapidly expanding suburban areas around major cities.
Over the same period, the network of preschool education institutions expanded by 1,483 kindergartens. Expanding this infrastructure makes it possible to increase the number of places available for preschool children, although access to kindergarten facilities must still be assessed separately in each region.
Healthcare Facilities and Free Medicines
According to the figures featured in the festive campaign, 1,259 healthcare facilities opened in Kazakhstan over the past seven years.
This category covers various healthcare organisations, including hospitals and primary healthcare facilities. In rural areas, medical posts and outpatient clinics are particularly important, enabling residents to access basic healthcare services close to where they live.
Another indicator concerns access to medicines. Over the period under review, expenditure on free medicines amounted to KZT 1.3 trillion.
These funds are associated with government-funded medicine provision programmes, under which medicines are supplied to eligible categories of patients through existing healthcare financing and service delivery mechanisms.
Scholarships, Educational Grants and Student Dormitories
Changes have also taken place in higher education. According to the figures displayed on the billboards, student scholarship amounts increased 2.5-fold over the past seven years.
A total of KZT 1.5 trillion was allocated to educational grants during this period. A state-funded educational grant enables a student to pursue a selected academic programme at public expense, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria and conditions.
Student accommodation has been another area of development. Over the past seven years, 267 student dormitories opened across the country.
The availability of dormitory places is particularly important for young people enrolling in universities and colleges outside their home cities. However, the number of dormitory buildings constructed does not, in itself, indicate the extent to which student accommodation needs have been met.
Sports, Culture and Family Support
The reported social development outcomes also include the construction of 536 sports facilities.
Sports infrastructure comprises venues and facilities for a range of sporting activities. Such facilities are important for the operation of children’s sports clubs, sports schools and the organisation of community-based physical activities.
Over the past seven years, Kazakhstan has also seen the opening of 312 new cultural facilities. These include institutions designed to host cultural events, provide opportunities for creative activities and organise leisure programmes for local residents.
Another indicator concerns family support centres. According to the published figures, the number of such centres in the country reached 160.
These institutions provide families with advisory services and social assistance, including support in difficult life circumstances. Depending on the needs of those seeking assistance, the centres facilitate access to relevant specialists.
118 Million Square Metres of Housing and Gas Supply to 772 Villages
One of the largest reported construction indicators is the total volume of housing commissioned. Over the past seven years, 118 million square metres of residential property were built in Kazakhstan.
This figure covers both apartment buildings and individual housing. However, the total floor area of housing commissioned should be distinguished from the number of households whose living conditions have improved through government housing programmes.
Another area of development concerns engineering infrastructure in rural areas.
According to the information displayed on the celebratory billboards, 772 villages were connected to the gas supply network over the past seven years. Gasification enables residents to use natural gas for home heating and domestic needs, provided the necessary connections are in place.
These indicators form part of the public information campaign marking Republic Day, which Kazakhstan celebrates on 25 October. The urban billboards present the results of a seven-year period across several key areas, ranging from education and healthcare to housing construction and rural infrastructure development.
