Young Kazakhstanis to Receive Millions for Intelligence and Talent

The Majilis has approved draft amendments on culture and education in the first reading, which include one-time payments for children who win international scientific project competitions, Orda.kz reports.

Presenting the bill, Chair of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development Askhat Aimagambetov noted that Majilis deputies initiated the proposal and introduced several amendments along the way.

One key amendment offers financial rewards to students who achieve top results in international scientific competitions.

If a student takes first place in an international competition, they’ll receive a one-time payment of about six million tenge. In this case, the teacher can receive a bonus of about 500 thousand tenge,Aimagambetov clarified. 

School Adaptation and University Graduates

The bill also introduces programs to help children transition from Russian-language nurseries to Kazakh-language schools. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education will be responsible for developing these support programs for primary school students.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to assist university graduates who studied on government grants.

A few years ago, a rule was introduced requiring grant recipients to work in their field for three years after graduation. If they fail to do so, they must repay the grant. But we’ve received many appeals from people in difficult situations — such as parents raising a child with a disability or caregivers for a person with a first-group disability — who have requested exemptions from this requirement. After reviewing these cases, we’re proposing to introduce this provision to the bill,Aimagambetov said.

This provision was included in the bill with some additions.

First, graduates raising a child with a disability or caring for a person with a first-group disability are exempt from the mandatory work requirement.

Second, those pursuing a master's or residency program at a foreign university can defer their required work period until they complete their studies. After graduation, they must return to Kazakhstan and work in their field for three years.

University Rankings

The bill also introduces a classification system for universities, which has been added to the Law on Education.

Higher and (or) postgraduate education institutions will be classified into groups based on their scientific and educational achievements, contributions to the national, regional, or industry economy, academic mobility, international cooperation, and student social development. This does not apply to military, specialized educational institutions or international educational institutions operating in Kazakhstan under international agreements or government decisions,”the bill’s drafters stated. 

The draft law published on the Majilis website outlines the following classification:

• First group: Institutions that play a key role in national priorities, driving technological and social development at national and international levels.
• Second group: Institutions that contribute to regional economic and technological growth while helping address key regional challenges.
• Third group: Institutions focused on developing specific economic sectors and driving innovation within those industries.
• Fourth group: Institutions that meet the minimum state education standards and fulfill public demand for higher education, including the first-established higher education institutions.

Based on this ranking, the Ministry of Science will determine the level of academic and managerial autonomy granted to universities.

However, this ranking system sparked concerns among deputies, who questioned its potential for corruption and noted that such classifications are not recognized internationally.

They recommended revising this provision before the bill’s second reading.

The bill also includes amendments related to naming universities after prominent figures, allocating land for educational institutions, preserving library collections, and other educational regulations.

Last fall, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science approved a state order for workforce training over the next three academic years. It announced the number of grants to be allocated.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya