Kazakhstan cuts kindergarten waiting list 86% via voucher financing
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Kazakhstan's voucher financing mechanism reduced the number of children aged two to six waiting for kindergarten places from 160,000 to 23,000, a drop of nearly 86%. The state also reported savings of 35.3 billion tenge in budget funds. The pilot now operates in 20 cities and 23 rural districts, with 1.1 million vouchers issued.
Key Facts
- The kindergarten waiting list fell from 160,000 to 23,000 children, a reduction of 137,000.
- The voucher mechanism saved 35.3 billion tenge in budget funds.
- The pilot operates in 20 cities and 23 rural districts, with 1.1 million vouchers issued.
- About 6,000 preschool organizations participate in the pilot.
- A separate pilot project on early career exposure runs in 100 kindergartens.
Voucher Financing Rollout
First Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova presented the data at a press conference in the Central Communications Service. The pilot currently operates in 20 cities and 23 rural districts. 1.1 million vouchers have been issued under the project. About 6,000 preschool organizations participate in the pilot. The Ministry of Education attributes the result to the voucher model's principle of personalized financing.
Budget Savings and Expansion
The introduction of the mechanism saved 35.3 billion tenge, according to the Central Communications Service. The Ministry of Education previously explained that released funds are used, among other things, to issue additional vouchers. In Kyzylorda, voucher financing operates in 236 preschool organizations, with 28,613 vouchers issued by July. The pilot mechanism has been extended until the end of 2026.
Early Career Exposure Pilot
A pilot project called "Early Introduction to Work and Professions" has been launched in 100 kindergartens. Its goal is to form preschoolers' first ideas about professions and work skills. Shynar Akparova stated that early career guidance methods are being implemented in a pilot mode within the project.
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Kazakhstan cuts kindergarten waiting list 86% via voucher financing
