Kazakhstan boosts vocational college funding 34.1% over three years

September 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM2 min

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Kazakhstan's state funding for technical and vocational education rose 34.1% over the past three years to 424.9 billion tenge in the 2025-2026 academic year. Education Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova announced the figures at a government meeting, citing a 11% increase in the last year alone. The number of college graduates employed in their specialty climbed from 72,000 to 90,600 over the period.

Key Facts

State funding for technical and vocational education reached 424.9 billion tenge in the 2025-2026 academic year, up 11% from the previous year.
The number of college students grew from 542,700 to 556,200, an increase of 13,500 learners.
The state education order expanded from 344,900 places in 2023-2024 to 393,300 places in 2025-2026, a 14% rise.
Graduates employed in their specialty increased from 72,000 to 90,600, while total employed graduates rose from 92,800 to 112,700.
Thirteen new modern colleges are planned for construction across 11 regions of Kazakhstan.

Funding Growth

State funding for technical and vocational education in Kazakhstan rose 34.1% over the past three years, reaching 424.9 billion tenge in the 2025-2026 academic year. The increase amounted to 108.2 billion tenge over three years, with an 11% rise in the last year alone. Education Minister Zhuldyz Suleimenova attributed the growth to systematic decisions by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aimed at developing technical and vocational education.

Enrollment and Employment

The student contingent grew from 542,700 to 556,200, an increase of 13,500 learners. The state education order expanded from 344,900 places in 2023-2024 to 374,300 in 2024-2025 and 393,300 in 2025-2026, a 14% rise over three years. The number of graduates rose from 141,300 in 2023-2024 to 169,200 in 2025-2026, a 19.8% increase. Graduates with working qualifications increased from 47,500 to 60,100, while mid-level specialists rose from 88,200 to 103,200. Employment outcomes improved, with graduates working in their specialty rising from 72,000 to 90,600 and total employed graduates from 92,800 to 112,700.

Infrastructure Modernization

Local executive bodies and employers have equipped 174 colleges, and subsoil users supported the equipping of 13 additional colleges. Minister Suleimenova said 143 state colleges across the country require urgent modernization of their material and technical base. Thirteen new modern colleges are planned for construction in 11 regions to reduce shortages and provide quality vocational education in modern, equipped facilities.