PM Akhmetov urges to complete preparation of schools for a new academic year until August 29

As Minister of Education and Science Bakhytzhan Zhumagulov said, "over 2.5 million students will go to school this year, 292,064 teachers will begin work in the schools in September, of which 9,645 are young teachers. Today, the country's demand for teachers is 1,934 subject teachers, particularly in mathematics, chemistry, physics, English."

Zhumagulov said that in the framework of the campaign "Road to School" 15,184 children received assistance to the amount of 59 million tenge.

According to the Minister, 77 new schools will open by September 1, 2013. Totally, it is planned to put into operation 159 schools by the end of 2013. 19.3 billion tenge is allocated for major repairs of 32% of schools, including 14.2 billion tenge under the program "Employment Road Map 2020".

Hot school lunches are provided to about 80% of schoolchildren at 6,183 schools. By 2015 this figure will increase to 100%. Free food is provided to 30% of schoolchildren, mostly children from low-income families.

The meeting also heard reports of Minister of Health S.Kairbekova, Minister of Emergency Situations V.Bozhko, Akim of Aktobe region A.Mukhambetov, Akim of Almaty oblast A.Musakhanov, deputy governor of South Kazakhstan oblast S.Kanybekov.

Summing up the meeting, the Prime Minister drew the attention of ministers of health and emergency situations to "the need for tighter control in terms of ensuring adequate medical care, hot meals, compliance with the sanitary requirements and fire safety rules."

According to the instructions of the Head of State, Akhmetov set the goal of eliminating emergency schools and schools with a three-shift schedule. "In the process of formation of the three-year budget the governors must pay special attention to the issues related to the financing of the education sector," Serik Akhmetov emphasized.

The Prime Minister also instructed the governors of the regions, the Ministry of Education and Science in cooperation with relevant government agencies "until August 29 to complete preparation of schools for a new academic year."