North Kazakhstan region seeks to cover more children with preschool education

PETROPAVLOVSK. November 17. KAZINFORM /Sergey Kuznetsov/ Priority direction in preschool education is the creation of mini-centers under general education schools. Akim of North Kazakhstan region Serik Bilyalov said it at a working session in Petropavlovsk after the Monday telephone conference held by Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.

Presently the region has 206 preschool institutions including 56 kindergartens and 150 mini-centers under the comprehensive schools. Preschool education institutions cover only 11,510 children or 42% of the total number of children. Two new kindergartens will be put into service by the end of the year. 33 more mini-centers are planned to be opened in 2010. However, taking into account the problem of shortage of kindergartens and the tasks given by the Prime Minister the Akim urged to open 130 mini-centers next year. Besides, the region plans to open family kindergartens.