WEEKLY REVIEW: Financing of science among priorities of Kazakh Government
On Monday, June 18 speaking at the governmental hour in the Majilis, Kazakh Minister of Education and Science said that the embracement of children from 3 to 6 years old with pre-school education made 36.2% in 2009 and this indicator reached the level of 65.4% in 2012.
It should be noted that introduction of per capita financing was an impetus for the increase of the number of private pre-school organizations. The network of these organizations expanded by 289 ones and made 499 mini-centers and kindergartens.
As earlier reported, the main goal of "Balapan" Program is ensuring 70% embracement of children with pre-school education by 2015 and 100% embracement by 2020 in urban areas as well as in rural areas.
Fulfillment of further measures taken in order to effect the situation in this sphere will allow to reduce the deficit of pre-school organizations in Kazakhstan and allow to increase the quality of education.
In addition the Minister informed the total volume of financing of scientific projects made KZT 48 bln in 2012.
"The volume of funds allocated for development of science has significantly increased over the last two years. It was at the level of KZT 26.8 bln in 2011 and it made over KZT 48 bln in 2012 which is an 80% increase comparing with the previous year," B. Zhumagulov said.
As is known, scientific projects are financed on grant and program-targeted system. According to the Minister, KZT 14.7 bln was allocated for grant financing of 1174 scientific projects in 2012 and KZT 24.7 bln - for program-targeted financing and KZT 8.6 bln - for basic financing.
Besides, the Minister noted that one of the key aspects in the scientific sphere was development of innovations for industry and economy as a whole.
"In order to develop the offices of commercialization, the contest of innovations and selection of research institutes and universities were held. This year, 9 pilot offices of commercialization are planned to open in the country," B. Zhumagulov added.
On Tuesday June 19 Kazakh Culture Minister Darkhan Mynbay told about the process of holding events "Astana - cultural capital of the Turkic world" and "Astana - cultural capital of the Commonwealth" during a session of the Government.
The capital of Kazakhstan is the first of 14 member states of the TURKSOY to be given a status of cultural capital of the Turkic world and the year of 2012 has been announced the year of Astana. The grand opening of the event was held on February 24 at the Palace of Peace and Accord.
As the Minister informed, jointly with the akimat of Astana, the Ministry has developed a detailed plan of event under the auspices of "Astana - cultural capital of the Turkic world", the plan provides for a number of joint with the Turkic language countries events held in different formats.
International meetings of photo artists "New capital city of new millennium", the 5th meeting of sculptors, Days of culture of Azerbaijan in Kazakhstan, festivals of folk dance teams, festival of nomadic civilization "Millenniums around Astana", etc. are planned to be held during the year "Astana - cultural capital of the Turkic world".
Besides, Astana was announced the capital of the Commonwealth. As earlier reported, the decision on implementation of pilot project "Cultural capitals of the Commonwealth 2012" was made at the informal Summit of the CIS Heads of State which was held on December 20, 2011.
In 2011, cultural capitals of the CIS were selected Gomel (Belarus) and Ulyanovsk (Russia). In 2012, these cities are Astana and Mara (Turkmenistan).
The Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan jointly with the akimat of Astana have established an organization committee. The work on organization and holding of the international forum "Eurasian culture in the new world" which was held on June 15 in Astana was completed.
The chamber music festival of modern composers of the CIS member states is planned be held during the year as well as film festival of ethnographic movies of the CIS countries "Samruk-Ethno-Fest", Delphic Games, tours of the leading theatres, creative teams, etc.
In order to ensure exchange of experience, forums of librarians of the CIS and practical seminars will be held in Astana.
On Friday , June 22 Prime Minister Karim Massimov announced that budget 2012 in Kazakhstan can be sequestered at a joint session of the Kazakh Parliament during the discussion of the Government's report on the implementation of the national budget for 2011.
"The Republican Budget Commission was instructed to consider options for economic development in case oil prices fall to 50 dollars per barrel in the second half of this year. It's not a fantastic, but quite realistic scenario," said Massimov.
According to him, in case of continued adverse trends, it is possible that in September this year the Government will make proposals to the Parliament on downward revision of the budget for 2012. The Prime Minister also noted that the decline in oil prices is taken into account by the Government in the design of the national budget for 2013.
"A problem of non-disbursement of budget is chronic," Kazakh Member of Parliament Azat Peruashev announced at the joint meeting of the Parliament's Houses.
According to him, the big part of funds allocated by the state is deposited on the accounts of the state authorities.
As an example he cited the report of the Audit Committee, according to which, 30 administrators of budgetary programs, or 72% of the total number of administrators, did not utilize more than KZT 42 billion in spite of the budget adjustments in 2011.
Where, this amount increased by 15% in comparison with the same period in 2010.
Karim Massimov also said that Kazakhstan will continue to pursue centrally managed budget policy.
According to him, the centrally managed budget system was introduced because of uneven income generation.