Expansion of Childcare Services: Over 20,000 additional spots set to be established in Almaty.
In a bid to address the growing demand for preschool education, the city of Almaty is taking significant steps to expand its kindergarten infrastructure. A meeting was held recently involving the Education Department's College, the city's Mayor, and heads of educational organizations, focusing on the development of the education system, particularly increasing preschool education coverage.
One of the key initiatives is the renovation of the "Skazka" kindergarten in the Auezov district, which has been returned from lease. Major repairs are currently underway, and it is planned to open 14 groups with 320 places in the kindergarten in 2021. This move is part of a larger plan to create more than 20,000 new places in kindergartens over the next five years.
In addition to the "Skazka" kindergarten, four state kindergartens with 670 places were commissioned this year, and another state kindergarten with 120 places is nearing completion. The construction of three more state kindergartens with 520 places is underway as part of the "Employment Roadmap".
Recognising the financial burden on parents, the city's Mayor is taking measures to subsidise parental fees in private kindergartens. At the initiative of the city's Mayor, measures are being taken to subsidise parental fees in private kindergartens from the local budget.
Countries like Tajikistan and Kazakhstan face significant challenges in education infrastructure, including a shortage of classroom spaces and poor teaching environments. This leads to issues like multiple shifts and shared classrooms, which hinder equitable access to education. Kazakhstan has been focusing on educational reforms, including integrating critical thinking into early education curricula, but specific details on addressing kindergarten shortages are not available.
For addressing shortages, education departments often engage in long-term planning, including budget allocations for new facilities and expansions. However, specific plans for Almaty or similar cities are not detailed in the available data. Potential strategies for addressing these shortages could involve investing in building new kindergartens, renovating existing buildings to serve as kindergartens, and collaborating with private institutions or international organizations for support.
As of the meeting, 65,080 children aged 1 to 6 and 57,020 children aged 3 to 6 are receiving preschool education. This year, 48 private preschool organizations with 1,378 places were opened. Over the next five years, it is planned to gradually place state educational orders in approximately 360 private kindergartens for 14,900 places.
The city's Mayor has ordered intensified measures to address the shortage of places and waiting lists in kindergartens due to high birth rates and active migration processes. Despite the challenges, Almaty is making strides towards providing quality preschool education for all its young citizens.
In the context of expanding preschool education in Almaty, the city's focus on the renovation of the "Skazka" kindergarten and the construction of new state kindergartens is a testament to their commitment towards learning and education-and-self-development. Parents in Almaty can also expect subsidies for their children's education in private kindergartens, aiming to alleviate financial burdens.
