The Ministry of Culture and Information has announced the creation of a special commission to investigate possible unofficial monetary collections from parents of students at the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after Temirbek Zhurgenov. The department responded to a journalistic inquiry from FBK, emphasising that current legislation prohibits such financial levies in educational institutions.
Following the publication of the article about possible unofficial collections at the college attached to the Zhurgenov Academy, the FBK editorial office sent an official request to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. For unclear reasons, the request was forwarded to the Ministry of Culture and Information (MCI).
In an official response dated 8 April, the MCI stated that “in accordance with current legislation, any collection of money from parents of students and pupils of educational organisations, including for the organisation of examination committees (gifts, lunches, filling out documentation, etc.), is not provided for and is illegal”.
According to the department, a special commission has been established to verify possible unofficial monetary collections at the educational institution. Its members include staff from the human resources and legal departments, representatives of the trade union organisation, the parent community, and the student body.
Meanwhile, sources at FBK reported that after our publication, intense activity unfolded at the academy. Parents of students were required to submit written explanations addressed to the rector stating that money collections had allegedly not taken place. Notably, this initiative by the administration arose immediately before the commission began its work.
The ministry’s response demonstrates the serious attitude of state bodies towards the issue of unofficial collections in educational institutions.
At the same time, attempts to gloss over the situation raise legitimate doubts about the transparency of the upcoming inspection. The success of the commission’s work will largely depend on ensuring the independence of its activities and creating conditions in which whistleblowers can safely present the information they possess.