ASTANA. September 3. KAZINFORM  /Muratbek Makulbekov/ "Kazakhstan needs an intellectual revolution that will allow to revive and realize the potential of our nation", President Nursultan Nazarbayev said it in his lecture on "Kazakhstan in post-crisis world: intellectual breakthrough into the future" at the Al Farabi Kazakh National University in October of the last year.

The results of the State Program on Education Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2005-2010, which were considered by the Government on September 2, show that our country had already formed a basis for an intellectual revolution and further increase of the competitiveness of Kazakhstan's education.

The new law 'On education' was adopted in Kazakhstan. It forms a legal framework for further development of education with account of the tasks outlined in the President's Address to the Nation "New Decade - New Economic Growth - New Opportunities for Kazakhstan".

The coverage of children with preschool education grew by 16.3% owing to the expansion of the network of preschool institutions. 129 thousand places were created in secondary schools. The number of triple-shift schools reduced by 48. Quadruple-shift schools were abolished. More than 3000 schools were equipped with interactive rooms. A third of schools were provided with broadband internet access. 21.9% are covered with additional education.

An independent evaluation and qualification system was introduced in the sphere of vocational education. 118 new vocational schools were opened throughout the country.

In March 2010 Kazakhstan acceded to the European Higher Education Area and made transition to the bachelor's-master's-Ph.D. degree model. The number of scholarships was increased. 38 universities offer double diploma education programs.

The Government also considered and approved the draft state program of education development for 2011-2020. The document is aimed at developing new mechanisms of education financing. It is also planned to implement the system of electronic education. As for the system of preschool education, it is planned to cover 70% of children by 2015 and 100% by 2020.

The system of secondary education envisages full transition to 12-year schooling. The system of vocational education will be modernized in accordance with the requirements of the industrial and innovative development.

It is planned to achieve the following indicators: 14% of universities will pass international accreditation; 100% of education institutions will introduce the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS); 20% of universities will offer double-diploma education in association with foreign institutions.

The state program provides for a number of measures on development of the state and other languages. Teaching in three languages will be implemented in 720 schools. Training of English-speaking teachers will be held within the framework of 'Bolashak' International Program. The system of continuous education of the state language called "Kindergarten - School, Vocational School, College - Higher Education Institution" will be established within the framework of the state program.

The state program o education development will be implemented in two stages: 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. KZT 151.15 from the national budget will be allocated for the financing of the program from 2011 till 2013. The further expenditures will be specified in the course of budget planning for the next medium term.