In the 16th microdistrict of Aktau, there is still no state school. The situation could worsen from the new academic year: a private lyceum, where local children currently study, has notified parents about the introduction of tuition fees — 100 thousand tenge per child.
According to the International News Agency "Kazinform", the school operated free of charge during the current academic year, but from autumn, education will become paid. This has sparked protests among residents of the microdistrict, many of whom cannot afford to pay for the education of several children.
"We cannot afford paid education. Many have two or three children, and we will have to pay 100 thousand tenge for each. Until the school opens, children will have to travel to other microdistricts," said a resident of the city, Yrzaqul Saqtaqan.
Parents claim that the lack of a school near home creates logistical and financial difficulties. They demand that the authorities speed up the construction of a state school.
In turn, the head of the city education department, Gani Kurmangaliyev, reported that a new state school with 1,500 places is being built in the 16th microdistrict as part of the national project "Comfortable School". According to him, the project is under the supervision of the regional akimat.
"The private school provided free education in the current academic year, but now fees are being introduced. <…> A meeting of residents, school representatives, and the akimat is planned for 28 May, where this issue will be discussed," Kurmangaliyev said.
It is noted that the construction of the school in the 16th microdistrict began in July last year. Around 8.1 billion tenge was allocated for the project. The opening is scheduled for October this year.
For reference, in September last year, more than 100 children in Aktau could not start their studies because the new school was not opened by 1 September as previously promised. Despite the children being enrolled in the school, classes never began. Furthermore, it was impossible to transfer to another educational institution due to a lack of places.