Kazakhstan issues 1.1 million preschool vouchers, cuts waiting list to 23,000
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan has issued 1.1 million vouchers under a pilot preschool funding program, cutting the waiting list for children aged 2 to 6 from 160,000 to 23,000. The program saved 35.3 billion tenge in budget funds, First Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova said. The announcement comes as 380,000 children are set to start first grade in the new school year.
Key Facts
- Kazakhstan has issued 1.1 million vouchers under a pilot preschool funding program, reducing the waiting list for children aged 2 to 6 from 160,000 to 23,000.
- The voucher program saved 35.3 billion tenge in budget funds, according to First Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova.
- In the 2026-2027 school year, 4.1 million children will attend school in Kazakhstan, including 380,000 first-graders.
- Construction of 101 schools with 59,300 student places is underway, with 72 schools for 38,200 places to be completed by year-end.
- Colleges plan to admit 133,000 students under state educational order, with 70% allocated to technical specialties.
Preschool Voucher Expansion
The voucher financing pilot now covers 20 cities and 23 districts across Kazakhstan. The waiting list for children aged 2 to 6 fell from 160,000 to 23,000 after the issuance of 1.1 million vouchers. Budget savings from the program reached 35.3 billion tenge, First Vice Minister Shynar Akparova reported. A separate pilot in 100 kindergartens introduces early vocational guidance methods for children.
School Infrastructure and Enrollment
In the new school year, 4.1 million children will study in schools, including 380,000 first-graders. Major repairs were completed in 128 schools, and current repairs were carried out in 1,125 educational organizations. Of the 1,125 organizations, 168 are preschools, 861 are schools, and 56 are vocational training institutions. Construction is underway on 101 schools with 59,300 student places, and 72 schools for 38,200 places will be completed by the end of the year. More than 5,500 video surveillance cameras have been installed and connected to operational control centers.
Curriculum and College Admissions
New mandatory courses and artificial intelligence tools will be introduced in educational programs starting this school year. Summative assessments for primary school students will be removed. Colleges plan to admit 133,000 students under state educational order, with 70% allocated to technical specialties. The Ministry of Health requires all educational organizations to comply with new nutrition standards.
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Kazakhstan issues 1.1 million preschool vouchers, cuts waiting list to 23,000
