On the approval of the “Children of Kazakhstan” Concept for 2026–2030

Resolution No. 56 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 29, 2026

The Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan RESOLVES:

     1. To approve the attached “Children of Kazakhstan” Concept for 2026–2030 (hereinafter referred to as the Concept).

2. The central state and local executive bodies, as well as interested organizations (by agreement), responsible for implementing the Concept:

1) take the necessary measures to implement the Concept;

2) ensure timely implementation of the Action Plan for the implementation of the Concept;

3) submit information on the progress of the implementation of the Concept to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan no later than April 1 of the year following the reporting year.

3. The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan shall, no later than May 1 of the year following the reporting year, submit information on the progress of the Concept’s implementation to the authorized body for state planning and also post it on its website (excluding information with restricted access).

4. Monitoring of the implementation of this resolution shall be entrusted to the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

5. This resolution shall enter into force on the date of its signing.

Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

O. Bektenov

Approved by Resolution No. of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated “” 2026

The Concept “Children of Kazakhstan” for 2026–2030

Content

Section 1. Passport

Section 2. Analysis of the current situation

Section 3. Review of international experience

Section 4. Vision for the development of the child rights protection sector

Section 5. Key principles and approaches to the development of the child rights protection sector

Section 6. Target indicators and expected results

Section 7. Action plan for implementing the Concept

Section 1. Passport

Name

The “Children of Kazakhstan” Concept for 2026–2030

Grounds for development

Instruction of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, given at a meeting of the National Kurultai under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on March 14, 2025 (clause 9.4 of Protocol No. 25‑01‑11.1)

State bodies responsible for development

Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Child Rights Commissioner of the Republic of Kazakhstan

State bodies acting as co‑implementers:

Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan,

The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan (upon agreement)

Implementation period

2026–2030

Section 2. Analysis of the current situation

Protecting the rights and legitimate interests of children is one of the most important priorities of the state policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The head of state, Kassym‑Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, consistently and unwaveringly adheres to the principles of prioritizing the safety of children, protecting their rights, and creating full‑fledged conditions for the education, development, and well‑being of every child.

 In recent years, fundamental reforms and laws have been adopted and are being implemented in the field of social and legal protection of children, at the initiative of the country’s President.

 In Kazakhstan, a child’s rights and legitimate interests are ensured and protected from the very moment of birth.

 As of December 1, 2025, the country’s child population amounts to 6.9 million people, which is equivalent to 34% of the total population. There is a steady demographic trend: over the past 10 years, the number of children in the country has increased by 1.5 million people.

The state policy in the field of protecting children’s rights is based on the principles of legality, equality of rights, non‑discrimination, inclusivity, and ensuring the well‑being and best interests of every child.

 The model for protecting children’s rights is based on international obligations, national legislation, and institutional mechanisms.

     International obligations

     Since 1994, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 3 optional protocols, and 15 international instruments have been ratified, and their provisions have been implemented in national legislation.

Systematic work is being carried out to achieve global commitments within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (hereinafter – SDGs), in particular SDG 1 “No Poverty”, SDG 3 “Good Health and Well‑being”, SDG 4 “Quality Education”, SDG 5 “Gender Equality”, SDG 13 “Climate Action” and SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”, which directly affect the interests and well‑being of children.

International cooperation is carried out through partnerships with relevant bodies of the United Nations (hereinafter referred to as the UN), such as UNICEF and other organizations. Special attention is paid to the implementation of best practices, technical and expert support, and the implementation of joint programs in the field of children’s well‑being.

National legislation

 The rights of the child are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the main Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” as well as in 9 specialized codes, 6 laws, and 56 subordinate regulatory legal acts regulating various aspects of children’s lives.

Institutional structure

Institutional structure is based on the principles of systematization, interdepartmental cooperation, and the state’s responsibility for protecting the rights and well‑being of every child.

 The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its agency, represented by the Committee for the Protection of Children’s Rights, play a coordinating and strategic role in the field of children’s rights protection.

Starting in 2025, coordination at the regional level is carried out by departments and units responsible for children’s rights protection.

 The development of systemic solutions and proposals for improving legislation, as well as the restoration of violated rights and freedoms in cooperation with state and public institutions, are carried out by the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as by its regional representatives.

 In order to foster a culture of decision‑making involving children and taking their opinions into account, the republican council of children’s ombudsmen is functioning and developing; it comprises 40 children from all regions of the country. In addition, children’s representative offices operate in every school.

Key achievements in the field of children’s rights protection

Since 2024, children have had access to national benefits under the “National Fund — to Children” programme through the annual crediting of 50 % of the National Fund’s investment income to their personal savings accounts.

The projects “Unified Voluntary Accumulative System ‘Keleshek’” to establish an initial educational capital from the state for children and “Keleshek Mektepterі” to open 217 modern schools are being implemented. In total, more than 1,000 schools have been built since 2021.

 The public foundation “Қазақстан халқына” has been established; it is the largest national charitable organization, implementing more than 120 programs and projects across the country. The main focus is on supporting children through systemic projects, including developing the potential of core schools in rural areas, opening rehabilitation centers (54) at the district and rural levels, and building modular, quick‑to‑erect sports halls.

 Overall, in Kazakhstan, children are provided with all types of medical care, and 49 types of social support and 15 types of social payments and benefits are provided, aimed at strengthening the institution of the family and supporting children.

 Within the framework of guaranteed constitutional rights, all children in the country are provided with free secondary education, including the provision of free textbooks. In addition, free extracurricular classes and clubs have been introduced in schools, covering 2.2 million students by 2025. Teachers’ professional development is also carried out free of charge.

 In addition to educational issues, a social package is guaranteed for all primary school students and children from socially vulnerable families in the form of free hot meals and assistance from the universal education fund in preparing for the school year.

Transport accessibility is ensured through the organization of free transportation and the renewal of the school bus fleet. In 2025, 130,000 students in 1,597 schools are covered by transportation, with 2,165 school buses used for this purpose.

 In order to build a society where human rights are respected and upheld, a unified program for value‑based upbringing and the development of a harmoniously developed child, “Adal Azamat,” has been implemented. It is based on the following values: independence and patriotism, unity and solidarity, justice and responsibility, law and order, diligence and professionalism, creativity and innovation.

In 2024–2025, 10 laws were adopted containing provisions aimed at preventing violations of children’s rights, introducing mechanisms for early detection, preventing violence and bullying, opening family support centres and psychological support centres in the regions, ensuring the housing rights of orphaned children, combating child trafficking, and establishing the standard staffing levels, functions, and status of regional authorised bodies responsible for protecting children’s rights.

The foundation has been laid for a policy of non‑tolerance towards violence and the inevitability of punishment through stricter liability for all forms of violence against children.

The safety of children’s infrastructure has been enhanced by introducing a licensing mechanism.

 One of the key tools for assessing the effectiveness of state policy is the child well‑being index, which is used to monitor interregional differences and identify priority areas for development in the field of ensuring children’s rights.

Chapter 1. The child’s right to safety

     Current issues related to ensuring children’s safety include: offences committed by and against children, bullying, psychological well‑being, child trafficking, protection of children in the digital space, and creating a safe environment.

The legislative framework for ensuring a child’s right to safety and the inevitability of punishment for offences against children consists of a set of regulatory legal acts, including the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter referred to as the CC) and the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Administrative Offences” (hereinafter referred to as the CAO).

The institutional framework of the system for ensuring children’s safety.

Interdepartmental coordination at the central level is carried out by an interdepartmental commission under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and at the regional level — by commissions for minors’ affairs and the protection of their rights (hereinafter referred to as KDNZRP).

Functions in specific areas are assigned to the ministries of education, internal affairs, healthcare, labor and social protection of the population, emergency situations, culture, and information, as well as to local executive bodies.

 The system of prevention and assistance предусматривает the operation of organizations at both the central and regional levels.

 Thus, at the central level, the function of an information and reference, organizational, legal, and psychological service for issues related to the family and the protection of women’s and children’s rights is performed by a single “contact center” 111.

 At the regional level, the tasks of early risk identification and providing support to families and children in difficult life situations are assigned to mobile teams, whose activities are coordinated by family support centers (hereinafter referred to as FSCs), which are established in each district of the country.

To organize a unified system for diagnosing and identifying suicide risks, violence, and bullying in the educational environment, as well as to provide timely psychological assistance to children, psychological support centers (hereinafter referred to as PSCs) operate in each region.

 In parallel, schools operate centers for parental support, which are aimed at developing knowledge and skills for positive parenting and the harmonious development of children.

The network of healthcare organizations plays a key role in the development and implementation of measures to protect children’s health, with youth health centers (hereinafter referred to as MHCs) occupying a special place within its structure. Thus, at 85 MHCs, children aged 10 to 18, as well as young people aged 18 to 29, receive medical, preventive, psychosocial, and legal assistance.

Medical and social assistance in the field of mental health protection is provided by the republican scientific and practical center for mental health at the republican level and by 20 mental health centers at the regional level. To ensure the availability of outpatient and polyclinic care, 97 primary mental health centers are located in city polyclinics; at the district level, there are 209 mental health offices in central and multidisciplinary district hospitals.

To provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, including women and children, there are 33 crisis centers.

 To protect children who find themselves in difficult life situations, 111 organizations operate within the education, healthcare, and social protection systems (34 child support centers, 14 children’s villages, 11 youth houses, 10 centers for the adaptation of minors, 4 orphanages, 20 children’s homes, and 18 centers providing special social services).

 As a temporary form of placement for children in need of special social services, the institution of a foster professional family has been introduced.

To work with children who have committed offenses, there are 4 special educational organizations and 1 organization with a special regime of detention.

For minors who have committed serious and especially serious crimes, serving a sentence is provided in 2 institutions of the criminal‑executive system.

 In accordance with the principle of a special approach to administering justice in relation to children, the country has established 20 specialized interdistrict courts for juvenile cases.

In addition, juvenile police units operate, which form a comprehensive system of justice for children aimed at protecting the child’s rights and their rehabilitation.

More than 120 non‑governmental organizations (hereinafter referred to as NGOs) play a significant role in ensuring the rights and safety of children.

 Every day, thousands of employees from various bodies and organizations, as well as representatives of public organizations, ensure children’s safety.

Thus, the Republic of Kazakhstan has established a multi‑level system for ensuring children’s rights and safety.

 The existing approaches and mechanisms aimed at preventing violence, bullying, and suicide are integrated within the SAFE program (www.safekids.kz).

Paragraph 1. Offenses against children

 Currently, the country has developed a comprehensive approach aimed at preventing violations of children’s rights, including the early identification of risks and signs, as well as instances of violations of children’s rights, and ensuring the protection of affected children.

 One of the key preventive measures is to foster in society the principle of “zero tolerance” for violence, which is ensured, among other things, by ужесточением of punishment.

 As a result of the measures taken, there has been a decrease in serious and particularly serious crimes against children. In 2025, the number of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors decreased by 9.6%, including crimes punishable by life imprisonment, by 19.2%. Crimes related to the murder of min children decreased by 10%, and those involving the infliction of serious harm to health resulting in death decreased by 54.5%.

 Violence against children has a high level of latency, as it is mainly (60–70 %) committed by people from the children’s immediate environment. In this regard, early detection is of paramount importance.

Starting in 2024, mobile teams and CPSs have been operating in each district, bringing together representatives of social protection, education, healthcare, and internal affairs bodies and organizations. In 2025, mobile teams identified 13,000 families in difficult life situations; more than 33,000 families received consultations, and over 17,000 were taken under support.

 As part of interdepartmental cooperation, mobile groups transmitted 13,070 reports about families in difficult life situations to family support centers.

 Nurses play a significant role in identifying risks.

To improve the efficiency of interdepartmental cooperation, the FSM Social digital system is used; 131 CPSs and over 10,000 organizations are connected to it.

 An important tool for self‑service is the “111” contact centre, through which 145,000 calls and 121,000 text messages were received in 2025.

 Among the tools for early detection are diagnostic methods for identifying facts and signs of violence, included in a single collection of diagnostic methods, which are carried out by educational psychologists in schools and colleges.

In 2024, along with the introduction of detection mechanisms and the creation of infrastructure to support families and children, penalties for violence against individuals, including against children, were tightened. Specifically, criminal liability was introduced for the articles “Beating” and “Intentional infliction of minor harm to health,” “Torture,” and only life imprisonment is provided for murder, violent acts of a sexual nature, and rape of minors.

 Furthermore, within the framework of the criminal procedure code, special requirements have been introduced for a person who has committed a criminal offence involving violence — namely, to complete a mandatory, free course of psychological assistance provided by healthcare organizations. This measure is ordered by the court.

To provide comprehensive assistance to children who have suffered violence or witnessed it, a support programme has been approved, under which the affected child receives five types of assistance (medical, psychological, pedagogical, social, and legal), provided by crisis centres and child support centres.

 Special attention is paid to teaching children practical skills that enable them to ensure personal safety in various situations as part of weekly safety lessons.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has initiated the “Happy and Safe Childhood” and “URPAQ” projects, the goals of which are to identify children in difficult life situations and provide them with comprehensive assistance.

 Thus, the state has established a system for the prevention, detection, and punishment of all types of offenses against children.

 At the same time, the following issues need to be addressed:

     1) improving interdepartmental approaches, including the regulatory consolidation of uniform standards for the work of offices providing assistance to children who have suffered violence, taking into account the existing territorial differences in access to forensic services;

     2) introducing validated methods within the process of interrogating minors;

     3) appointing a responsible case manager to support the child throughout the criminal process along the entire assistance route “from the first report to rehabilitation”.

Paragraph 2. Psychological well‑being of children

The pressing issues in ensuring the psychological well‑being of children are the quality of diagnostics, addressing the root causes of deteriorating psycho‑emotional state, and providing support to the child.

To address this problem systematically and introduce a unified approach to diagnostics and assistance, the following measures are being implemented.

 On the instructions of the Head of State, in 2024, the work of psychological services was transformed, and a regulatory legal framework for their activities was adopted.

A unified algorithm for identifying minors exhibiting signs of self‑destructive behavior was adopted. 

A unified algorithm has been adopted for identifying minors exhibiting signs of self‑destructive behavior and for subsequent work with them, as well as an algorithm of actions for government agencies to provide assistance to a child who has attempted suicide.

 Coordination of issues related to ensuring the psychological well‑being of children is carried out by the CPPs opened in 2024, which provide coordination, methodological support for school psychological services, and consultations for students and their parents.

 In order to improve the quality of work, a unified collection of diagnostic methods has been introduced, including 22 tools for assessing signs of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, aggression, bullying, and offenses against children. In addition, a monitoring form has been developed to support children who need attention.

 All educational organizations have psychological services that carry out diagnostics, form groups of children for support, and carry out targeted work with students.

 The most important tool for identifying a complex psychological state and providing assistance has become the introduced self‑referral tool “QR‑111”. Between 300 and 1,000 messages on various issues and problems (11 categories) are received daily. For example, in 2025, more than 2,200 inquiries were received regarding psycho‑emotional state and issues related to relationships with peers.

 At the same time, in order to improve the effectiveness of the implemented approaches, the following issues need to be addressed:

     1) currently, various tools are used in a number of regions to carry out diagnostic methods in paper format, which complicates the process; therefore, it is necessary to introduce a unified state platform for conducting diagnostics of students and pupils in educational organizations;

     2)The analysis shows that the work of educational psychologists remains insufficiently attractive due to the low salary and high workload; the qualification requirements for educational psychologists need to be revised; social educators, who perform important functions in terms of prevention, often perform unrelated functions.

     3) There is insufficient training of educators in educational organizations to identify suicidal risks and crisis behavior in children.

     4)In the healthcare sector, assistance for children exhibiting self‑destructive behavior is provided in mental health centers, mental health offices, and primary mental health centers affiliated with healthcare organizations that provide primary medical care. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the work aimed at preventing suicide, it is necessary to adopt a unified interdisciplinary protocol for supporting the child in order to ensure early detection, timely intervention, and subsequent rehabilitation.

5) Risk factors also include the child’s overall health status and insufficient coverage of children with mandatory preventive medical examinations, taking into account the assessment of mental health and laboratory indicators.

6) The impact of destructive content on children and participation in dangerous online communities can have an effect on children. The nature of how problems and specific cases are covered in the media is of great importance;

7) Social stigmas and stereotypes still prevail in society and among parents, which hinders parents and teenagers from seeking help. There is a low level of awareness among parents regarding behavioral disorders in minors, which leads to late обращения to specialized professionals.

Paragraph 3. Offenses committed by minors, bullying.

 Important issues in the prevention of offenses include primary educational work, preventing children from being drawn into a criminogenic environment, and preventive work with families.

The key role in the upbringing of children in educational organizations is played by the unified upbringing program “Adal Azamat,” the values of which are included in the state mandatory education standard and reflected in 43 activities.

 One of the reasons for crimes against individuals is insufficient preventive work. According to official data for 2025, 272 individuals were held accountable for bullying incidents. Every day, at least 1 child seeks help in connection with bullying incidents via “QR‑111”.

 In order to develop systematic approaches to bullying prevention in Kazakhstan, the concept of “child harassment (bullying)” has been introduced, the child’s right to protection from harassment (bullying) has been enshrined, relevant prevention rules have been developed, and administrative liability for this type of offence has been introduced.

 To create a system for preventing and effectively countering bullying in schools and colleges, the anti‑bullying program “DosbolLIKE” has been implemented; it includes teaching children socio‑emotional skills and empathy.

Schools and colleges maintain an internal record‑keeping system, which has been mandatory since 2024. Under the Law “On the Prevention of Offenses,” the concept of “internal record‑keeping” has been replaced with the concept of “pedagogical support for minors requiring increased attention,” with the necessary measures being established.

 One of the preventive measures was the development of school mediation. The implementation of the “100 Mediative Schools” project and the methodological recommendations made it possible.

An educational program of advanced training courses is being implemented for teachers on the topic “Scientific and practical foundations of the bullying prevention program in educational organizations” (in 2025, 8,050 teachers will be covered by the training).

To foster public consciousness and ideology based on the principle of “Law and Order,” former employees of the prosecutor’s office and the police will conduct additional lessons in the Almaty region during the 2025–2026 academic year; these lessons will be aimed at preventing unlawful behavior.

 The police remain a key entity in the prevention of offenses. Each school is assigned to local inspectors, juvenile affairs inspectors, and operatives (more than 8,000 employees). Preventive work is carried out in all regions, including the organization of campaigns and operational‑preventive measures, such as “Children in the Night City” and the republican operation “Teenager”.

 One of the key areas is ensuring that children are engaged in sports and other additional activities during their free time.

In 2024, amendments were made to the Law “On Education” regarding the priority enrollment in a proactive format of children registered with the internal affairs bodies in organizations providing additional education, and the relevant rules were adopted.

 Over the past decade, the use of repressive measures against minors in Kazakhstan has been consistently reduced, and their legal protection has been strengthened.

 Under the interdistrict juvenile courts, projects for the social rehabilitation of convicted adolescents are being implemented; these projects include work with psychologists and training in social and professional skills that will enable them to earn a living independently in the future. Practice shows that a significant portion of minors who complete such programs do not commit repeat offenses.

 At the same time, despite the measures taken, a number of issues remain:

     1) the approaches to the work of commissions dealing with juvenile affairs and the protection of their rights need to be transformed. An analysis of their activities shows the need to introduce tools for monitoring the quality of consideration of systemic issues and individual cases, the decisions made, and to monitor their effectiveness;

     2) the system of per capita funding for sports and creative activities does not ensure full coverage of additional education for children living in rural areas. This is due to the shortage of private centers and the lack of a competitive environment in this area. In a third of rural settlements, there is no infrastructure for children to engage in sports and creative clubs, even though 39.8% of the country’s schoolchildren live in rural areas. Furthermore, the existing types of supplementary education do not always fully capture teenagers’ interest. Most clubs and sections are aimed at younger school‑age children, while teenagers need more modern and diverse formats.

 The country has 2,035 cultural centers and 2,006 rural clubs, forming an extensive network; using its resources will make it possible to increase the number of children participating in free clubs.  In some regions, projects related to mentoring children from families registered with the police have shown good results;

     3) employees of educational organizations play a significant role in the early detection of offenses. Administrative liability is provided for failure to report facts of offenses committed against minors. In 2025, 287 people were held administratively liable (2023 – 92, 2024 – 348), which indicates the need to adopt incentive mechanisms.

4) Programs and materials for protecting children’s rights, implemented in the regions by private organizations, are developed without uniform requirements for content; at the same time, it is important to take into account the age‑related and psychological characteristics of children in order to objectively assess their benefits;

5) Alongside the prevention of offenses, work to prevent recidivism and ensure the social rehabilitation of children who have already committed offenses is of utmost importance.

To create special conditions for the upbringing, education, and social adaptation of minors prone to offenses, the education system includes 4 special educational organizations (in the Mangystau, Zhambyl, and East Kazakhstan regions and in the city of Almaty) and 1 educational organization with a special regime of detention (in the Abay region). The placement of minors is carried out by court decision.

 Of the total number of children, 90 % are those who have committed administrative offenses, run away from home without permission, or engage in antisocial behavior.

 An analysis of the material and technical equipment of such organizations shows that for the full development and social adaptation of children, it is necessary to improve the educational infrastructure, develop a system of labor education and career guidance, and create a safe and comfortable environment.

 There is also a problem with staffing; teachers do not have specialized training in working with children in this category.

Most teenagers who have difficulties in upbringing study at evening schools, which weakens social rehabilitation and behavior changenge.

6) Despite the availability of educational and vocational programs, the institutions of the penal system for convicted minors lack approved special programs for upbringing, psychological support, and social adaptation.

Paragraph 4. Pregnancy among minors.

 The reasons for early pregnancy are linked to the specifics of family upbringing and the insufficient awareness among teenagers about the possible consequences of early sexual activity. Cases of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors are also recorded.

 The consequences of early pregnancy include a high risk of abortion and a deterioration in physical and psycho‑emotional well‑being.

Alongside this, the state is taking systemic measures to prevent risks, conduct awareness‑raising activities, and provide education on the basics of personal safety.

The key role in preventing early pregnancy is played by MZTs within the healthcare system.

 Comprehensive work is also being carried out to strengthen the foundations of family values through academic subjects, class meetings, extracurricular activities, and cooperation with families. The content of standard curricula includes sections on spiritual and moral education.

 In collaboration with medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and NGOs, discussions, round tables, lectures, talks, and parent meetings are organized on issues related to reproductive and mental health, the prevention of early sexual activity, family planning, and the prevention of unwanted pregnancy.

 In order to improve the effectiveness of the measures being taken, it is necessary to work on the following issues:

     1) it is necessary to revise the approaches to the work of youth health centers, as the level of teenagers’ awareness of the centers’ capabilities and the coverage of schools with outreach activities by the centers remain insufficient;

     2) a separate problem remains ensuring pregnant girls’ right to continuity of education and a unified support route. In practice, they continue their studies at evening schools, which often limits their right to education. This is especially acute in rural areas;

     3)In accordance with the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Marriage (Matrimony) and Family,” minor parents acquire parental rights at the age of 16; however, cases where a teenager older than 16 continues their education and is effectively unable to fully fulfill the duties of a parent are not regulated.

Paragraph 5. Protection of children in the digital environment.

 Modern children and teenagers spend a significant portion of their free time in the online space.

 According to the sociological study “Kazakhstan Kids Online,” more than 46 % of children go online for the first time at the age of 5–8, and over 95 % of high school students already have accounts on social media. About 60 % of children use the Internet for educational purposes, and 66 % use it to communicate on social media.

This study showed that 12.4% of boys and 10.1% of girls have met offline with people they met online; 7.4% of children see sexual images online at least once a month; 7.1% receive messages of a sexual nature.

 In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” all state bodies, individuals, and legal entities are required to protect the child from information, propaganda, and agitation that may harm their health, moral, and spiritual development.

The protection of children from harmful information is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Protection of Children from Information That Harms Their Health and Development,” which defines the competence of state bodies and their interdepartmental cooperation in the field of protecting children from negative information.

 The categories of “prohibited” and “age‑restricted” information are also provided for. Administrative liability is established for their dissemination. Along with the concept of “child cyberbullying,” administrative liability for such acts is established.

 Certain articles of the Criminal Code (articles 105, 121-1, 122, 131, 132, 134, 309, and others) provide for punishment for committing criminal offenses using the Internet.

In 2024, a Department for Combating Cybercrime was established within the structure of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 Systematic work is being carried out in the “Cyberнадзор” information system, which is a tool for identifying and blocking materials of a destructive nature. In 2025, 44,000 internet resources containing unlawful content were identified, including over 8,500 containing pornographic content. In total, over 33,000 internet resources have been blocked.

 The removal of unlawful content from online platforms is carried out in cooperation with their representatives in Kazakhstan within the framework of the Law “On Online Platforms and Online Advertising”. Information related to cyberbullying must be removed within 24 hours.

An information and education campaign “Cyber Tumar” has been launched – let’s protect children in the digital environment, which is a set of information tools.

An annual campaign is being implemented to engage parents in the “Parental Control” program.

Since 2023, an initiative has been underway to introduce children’s SIM cards that allow parents to control access to content. In 2025, as part of the cooperation between the Almaty City Prosecutor’s Office and the Tele2 operator, the first children’s SIM cards were launched.

In 2025, the AiMap digital social media monitoring tool began operation; it identified over 26,000 users subscribed to resources containing illegal and religious content.

 As part of the “Personal Safety” lessons, a block of topics is provided, aimed at developing skills for safe behavior on the Internet and recognizing digital threats.

 At the same time, the following issues require further consideration:

     1) legislative regulation of children’s access to social networks, ensuring the safety of games, and reducing the negative impact of excessive internet use. The current mechanisms for protecting children in the online environment do not form a unified system, which is why new approaches to ensuring children’s digital safety need to be developed;

     2) the absence of a separate category of “sensitive data” concerning children and the corresponding liability mechanisms. There are cases of using images and video materials involving children without the consent of parents and the children themselves, which can subsequently lead to bullying and psycho‑emotional problems.

Paragraph 6. Negative phenomena in the child environment.

 An analysis of negative phenomena in the child environment reveals the relevance of the problems associated with gambling addiction, gaming addiction, the use of vapes, and psychoactive substances. Risks are emerging that may lead to teenagers being involved in the illegal distribution of narcotic substances, including through digital channels.

The state is taking systematic measures aimed at combating the spread and preventing harmful phenomena among the population and children.

 Thus, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Drug Addiction and Drug Trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2025, amendments and additions have been made to the legislation, control over the legal circulation of precursors has been strengthened, preventive measures in the educational and youth environment have been expanded, and efforts to counteract the spread of drugs through digital channels have been intensified. A new plan has been developed for 2026–2028, which provides for a wide range of measures.

 Furthermore, in 2024, a law was adopted that raised the minimum age for participation in gambling and lotteries from 21 to 25 years, introduced stricter rules for betting companies and lottery operators, including administrative liability for allowing persons under 25 to participate in gambling, and prohibited outdoor advertising of betting offices and totalizators.

 A ban has also been established, and liability has been provided for the sale of energy drinks to persons under 21 years of age and for their distribution through vending machines without the seller’s involvement.

 Systemic preventive measures in educational organizations are implemented within the framework of the educational and upbringing processes.

 Educational work is carried out within the framework of the Unified Education Program “Adal Azamat” based on the core value “Law and Order,” in close cooperation with narcologists, police department staff, and specialists from mental health centers.

In 2024, by a joint order of the Ministries of Health and Education, the World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as WHO) launched the “Schools Promoting Health” project, covering 1,677 schools.

In 2025, a national ESPAD study on the use of psychoactive substances among adolescents aged 13–18 was conducted. The study was carried out in 125 schools and colleges, with the consent of parents. The survey охватило nearly 10,000 children (the final report is expected in the first quarter of 2026).

 At the same time, the following problems remain relevant:

     1) the high level of underreporting of gambling addiction, gaming disorder, vaping, and the use of psychoactive substances among minors means that the true scale of these phenomena is not fully reflected in official statistics due to the hidden nature of the consumption, the low rate at which families seek help, the fear of stigmatization, and the lack of mechanisms for early detection;

     2) there remains a shortage of specialized centers, adapted programs, and work methods specifically targeting minors.

3) Despite the introduced legislative bans, the actual access of minors to energy drinks and vapes has not been completely eliminated.

Paragraph 7. Migrant children

The regulatory and legal framework for issues related to migration and the protection of migrant children in Kazakhstan is based on the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the laws “On Population Migration”, “On Refugees”, and “On the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Kazakhstan”.

An additional element of the legal framework is the birth registration standard, which was amended in 2019 to ensure the registration of births of children whose parents do not have identification documents.

 If a child is found without parental accompaniment, they are placed in a juvenile adaptation center (10) for up to 3 months, during which time the family is traced, documents are processed, and, if necessary, they are returned to their country of origin.

 At the same time, despite the established system, a number of issues remain:

     1) the absence of a unified interdepartmental mechanism for interaction

2) The situation regarding the involvement of underage migrants in administrative offenses requires special attention. According to official data, the number of minors prosecuted under Article 517 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (Part 4) is on the rise. Thus, in 2022, 538 cases were recorded, in 2023 — 1,155, in 2024 — 2,513, and in 2025 — 1,801.

     3)Insufficient realization of the right of migrant children to education, social protection, and medical care. In some cases, access to services is hindered by the lack of an identification number, proof of registration at the place of residence, and a regulated legal status;

     4) the presence of risks of exploitation and violence against migrant adolescents (15-17 years old) who are drawn into employment outside the legal framework.

Paragraph 8. Child labour

Children are most often involved in work during the summer holidays, which is due to teenagers’ desire to earn money. The main areas of employment for teenagers include agriculture (weeding, harvesting), markets (loading, sorting vegetables and fruits), car washes, small‑scale trade, and courier services. There are also cases of dangerous employment, such as begging and illegal work in nightclubs.

 The problem is exacerbated by the insufficient level of legal literacy among parents and teenagers themselves.

The Republic of Kazakhstan consistently fulfills its international obligations to protect children from exploitation by joining the basic conventions of the International Labour Organization (hereinafter referred to as ILO) and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including provisions on the minimum age for employment, the prohibition of child trafficking, child prostitution and pornography, as well as on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

The national regulatory framework comprehensively regulates issues related to child labour.

The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Rights of the Child in the Republic of Kazakhstan” establishes the right of children aged 14 and older to participate in socially useful work that does not harm their health and education, as well as the right to protection from economic exploitation. The Labour Code sets the minimum age for entering into a labour contract at 16 years, allows work for children aged 14–15 subject to the established conditions, and also contains prohibitions on heavy and dangerous work, night work, overtime, and shift work. A list of jobs where the use of labor by workers under the age of 18 is prohibited has been approved.

Violation of legislation in the field of child labor is subject to administrative and criminal liability.

 The country annually implements the national campaign “12 Days of Struggle Against Child Labor Exploitation”.

To reduce the risks of involvement in illegal employment, local executive bodies organize temporary legal forms of employment for teenagers. The website www.enbek.kz contains a list of types of work that can be performed by minors, provided that the requirements of labor legislation are met.

 At the same time, cases of illegal use of child labor and the involvement of minors in hazardous types of employment demonstrate the need to tighten requirements and establish clearer mechanisms for legislative regulation.

Paragraph 9. Child trafficking

 In most cases, this type of crime is associated with the illegal transfer of children by parents for adoption.

 The country is consistently building a legal and institutional system to combat child trafficking.

The Criminal Code provides for a separate article (Article 135) for child trafficking, and also includes related offences that impose liability for the exploitation of children (Articles 134, 309, and others).

In 2024, the Law “On Combating Human Trafficking” was adopted, which includes a separate chapter on the protection of children. Regulations have also been adopted establishing the mandatory reporting by employees of educational, healthcare, and social protection organizations about the abandonment of orphans and children left without parental care to the guardianship and custody authorities. Administrative liability has been introduced for failure to report in a timely manner. No such cases were registered in 2025.

Previously, isolated instances of incorrect documentation of the transfer of newborns were recorded, which required additional strengthening of control and transparency of the procedures. To eliminate such risks, new regulations were introduced in 2024 regarding the mandatory provision of a molecular genetic examination report when establishing paternity in court, as well as when adopting a child for whom paternity has been established.

 Social assistance for children who have suffered from human trafficking is provided in accordance with the standard for special social services, which defines the list, scope, and conditions for the provision of social, psychological, medical, pedagogical, labor, and legal support.

 The main areas for combating human and child trafficking are outlined in the action plan for the prevention, prevention, and combating of crimes related to human trafficking for 2024–2026, which предусматривает the development of standard operating procedures for identifying and redirecting victims of human trafficking, intersectoral training of personnel, and preventive measures.

Previously, there were isolated cases of incorrect documentation of the transfer of newborns, which required additional strengthening of control and transparency of the procedures. To eliminate such risks, new rules were introduced in 2024 regarding the mandatory provision of a molecular genetic examination report when establishing paternity in court, as well as when adopting a child for whom paternity has been established.

 Social assistance for children who have suffered from human trafficking is provided in accordance with the standard for special social services, which defines the list, scope, and conditions for the provision of social, psychological, medical, pedagogical, labor, and legal support.

 The main areas for combating human and child trafficking are outlined in the action plan for the prevention, prevention, and combating of crimes related to human trafficking for 2024–2026, which provides for the development of standard operating procedures for identifying and redirecting victims of human trafficking, intersectoral training of personnel, preventive campaigns, and the work of interdepartmental mobile teams.

 At the same time, a comprehensive solution is required to address the issue of whether it is advisable to introduce a mandatory requirement for the inclusion of a child’s photo in government systems. The lack of visual identification increases the risks of illegal removal and child trafficking.

Paragraph 10. A safe environment for children

The safety of the environment in which children are located is a crucial element of a comprehensive system for protecting their rights.

 Statistical analysis shows that a significant portion of external causes of child mortality and injury is related to risks on roads, water bodies, and urban infrastructure facilities.

 Every year, more than 1,000 children die from external causes. The most common causes of death are traffic accidents, drowning, and falls from windows.

Road traffic safety

In 2025, 12,407 children were injured in traffic accidents, and 285 children died (in 2023, 4,342 children were injured, and 317 died; in 2024, 10,149 children were injured, and 328 died).

     The most common causes of injury are pedestrian collisions (42%) and car collisions (29%). Children of primary school age (0-11 years old) are the most vulnerable.

     Additional risks are created by violations of the requirements for organized transportation of children and insufficient protection of the road infrastructure near schools and preschool organizations.

 In order to systematically reduce risks, an Action Plan has been implemented to ensure the safety of road infrastructure adjacent to educational organizations for 2023–2025, which includes 28,571 measures, including the development of the street and road network, the installation of road signs, artificial speed bumps, road markings, noise strips, and other measures.

The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based on the Rules for the Transportation of Passengers and Baggage by Road Transport, has developed methodological recommendations that present an algorithm for organizing the transportation of children.

Children falling out of windows

 Falls from windows remain one of the most common causes of childhood injuries in the home.

In 2025, 239 falls from windows were recorded, of which 45 resulted in death (in 2023 — 197 children, including 26 who died; in 2024 — 243 children, including 33 who died). The main at‑risk group is children aged 2–5 years.

The multi‑indicator cluster survey (hereinafter referred to as MICS) showed that 42.4 % of households lack window safety mechanisms. At the same time, insufficient parental supervision remains the key factor affecting children’s safety.

 As part of preventive measures to prevent children from falling out of windows, legislative measures have been adopted in recent years; preventive activities, house‑to‑house visits, and awareness‑raising efforts are being carried out.

Child drowning

In 2025, 49 cases of child drowning were registered (2023 — 60, 2024 — 55).

 Analysis shows that most cases occurred in prohibited and unequipped swimming areas, as well as in places where children were not accompanied by adults. The age of the drowned children ranges from 2 to 18 years. The situation worsens during the warm season, when children spend more time near bodies of water.

 Every year, ahead of the swimming season, employees of rescue units provide swimming lessons for children, and children’s beaches are inspected and equipped. Local executive bodies determine the list of permitted and prohibited swimming areas. Citizens, parents, and children are informed through class hours and safety lessons.

 At the same time, the analysis revealed the presence of problems and issues related to preventing injuries and deaths among children, including those resulting from traffic accidents, falls from windows, and drownings:

     1) in most cases of death, children were unsupervised by adults;     2) there remains a need to install safety locks on window structures in older housing stock and to develop preventive campaigns;     3)The requirements for equipping window openings with safety locks during the design, construction, and operation of buildings where children may be present are stipulated in the construction standards “Residential Multi‑Apartment Buildings”. At the same time, on segments…

2) There remains a need to install safety locks on window structures in older housing stock and to develop preventive campaigns.

     3) The requirements for equipping window openings with safety locks during the design, construction, and operation of buildings where children may be present are stipulated in the construction standards “Multifamily Residential Buildings”. At the same time, today the term “safety lock” refers to a complex window‑opening mechanism, but tilt‑and‑turn windows are not safe, as the window handle in this position is not locked and the opening mechanism remains free, meaning the window can be easily opened by a child.

4) Local executive bodies have identified 682 permitted swimming areas, but this list does not cover all settlements and possible children’s swimming spots.

5) To prevent tragic incidents involving traffic accidents, falls from windows, drownings, and other causes of child fatalities, it is necessary to implement additional measures and update approaches in accordance with international practice.Safety of infrastructure and toys

 In some regions, incidents involving children at potentially hazardous urban environment facilities continue to be recorded, including loose football goals, transformer substations, abandoned buildings, amusement rides, trampolines, and other structures.

The legislation defines the main provisions for regulating safety in this area.

 However, practice shows that there are significant issues:

     1) technical regulation of attractions is carried out within the framework of the Technical Regulation of the Eurasian Economic Union 038/2016 and the standard of the Republic of Kazakhstan 3359-2019, but the regulatory framework mainly regulates the commissioning and initial inspection of equipment;

     2) operation, monitoring, repair and investigation of incidents remain insufficiently regulated; there are no unified registers of attractions, and there is no systematic inspection of mobile and temporary structures.

Additionally, there is no official statistics on accidents involving specific types of facilities, which hinders a comprehensive risk assessment.

     3) Mobile and inflatable attractions also draw criticism. Today, they are installed en masse in courtyards, near shopping centers, and at festive events as temporary structures, which effectively places them outside the scope of the strict requirements applied to stationary facilities. At the same time, operators often do not undergo training, do not keep daily inspection logs, and do not record incidents.

     4) Children’s toys are not only a commodity but also an important element in a child’s development. Their safety is regulated by the technical regulation of the Customs Union 008/2011 and the Law “On Toy Safety,” which establish requirements for physical, chemical, and sanitary safety. Government bodies maintain registers of non‑compliant products and carry out monitoring.

 However, the current regulation does not cover the psychological and pedagogical safety of toys. Until 2011, there was a mandatory institution of psychological and pedagogical expertise, which allowed for the assessment of the plot, visual content, and compliance with age‑appropriate features.

Chapter 2. The child’s right to education

 The country has established conceptual, regulatory, legal, and institutional foundations for state policy in the field of education, ensuring systematic, continuous, and strategically oriented reforms at all levels of education.

The legislative basis of the education system is the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which establishes guarantees in the field of education and requirements for standards.

 The sectoral Law “On Education” outlines the main principles of state policy in the field of education, aimed at ensuring the right to receive a quality education.

 An important strategic document for improving the education system is the Concept for the Development of Preschool, Secondary, Technical, and Vocational Education in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2029.

The institutional foundation of the education system.

 The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan performs a coordinating and regulatory‑methodological role in the education system.

 At the regional level, the implementation of state policy in the field of education is carried out by education departments and offices.

 The education system is represented by a multi‑level network of organizations that ensure the continuity of children’s learning, upbringing, and development. Education is divided into successive levels: preschool education, primary education, basic education, general secondary education, technical and vocational education.

Preschool education and upbringing are implemented through a network of public and private preschool organizations. At the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year, there are 11,909 preschool organizations in the country (5,383 are public, 6,526 are private), where about 1 million children are being raised. In 2024, 642 new preschool institutions with 77,800 places were opened, and in 2025, another 511 preschool institutions with 49,000 places were introduced.

Secondary education is represented by a network of general education schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, as well as specialized…

The training of specialists and qualified workers is carried out through a network of technical and vocational education institutions. There are 772 colleges in the country (447 are public, 325 are private), where more than 500,000 students study, including more than 312,000 students under government contracts.

Alongside basic education, additional education is represented by an extensive network of organizations. In 2025, the network of additional education organizations comprises 2,013 facilities (state‑owned — 1,237, private — 776), including 217 children’s palace schools and 313 art schools, and 410 youth sports schools.

 An important element of the system of supplementary education and children’s employment is the infrastructure of summer recreation, which includes more than 10,000 organizations of various formats, including year‑round (17), seasonal (192), tent camps (more than 500), and school camps (more than 10,000).

 Inclusive education is ensured through the operation of organizations that implement adapted educational programs, as well as special organizations and the creation of conditions for the education of children with special educational needs (hereinafter referred to as SEN). Inclusive approaches are implemented at all levels of the education system.

 The country has 110 psychological, medical, and pedagogical consultations (hereinafter referred to as PMPCs) that provide support for children with special educational needs.

Special educational organizations serve as the resource base. As of September 1, 2025, the network of special educational organizations includes 230 psychological and pedagogical correction rooms, 99 special schools, 45 special kindergartens, 13 rehabilitation centers, and 11 centers for supporting children with autism.

In addition, support rooms for children with special educational needs are being opened in large schools. In 2025 alone, 113 classrooms equipped with special materials and furniture for individual and group activities for children were opened. In total, more than 1,000 such classrooms are in operation.

 Overall, the institutional framework of the education system ensures the implementation of state policy in the field of education at all levels.

Paragraph 1. Preschool education and training.

 The country is implementing a set of measures aimed at expanding access to and improving the quality of preschool education and training.

 Thanks to the consistent expansion of the network of organizations and the creation of new places, a high coverage rate (95.9%) of children with preschool education and training has been achieved.

To address the problem of the shortage of places in a phased manner, a step‑by‑step plan is being implemented, which предусматривает the creation of 300,000 new places by 2027; of these, more than 195,000 (65%) have already been created. In addition, mechanisms for the rational placement of groups on the ground floors of residential buildings are being used, and the network of departmental preschool organizations is being developed.

 One of the key approaches to addressing the problem of the shortage of places has been the transformation of the funding system. Since 2024, a voucher‑based funding mechanism has been introduced in a number of regions, based on the principle of “money follows the child”. The pilot project covers about 5,600 preschool organizations in 20 cities and 16 districts across the country.

Systemic measures are being implemented to improve the quality of preschool education and training. A rating system for preschool organizations has been introduced, and 75.1 % of the organizations meet the established quality criteria. 184 competence centers and 300 mobile methodological groups have been established, and the network of consultation points for parents has been expanded (from 3,300 in 2023 to 6,000 in 2025). Digital tools are being introduced into practice, including the “Beskе Deyin Ulger” mobile app. Starting in 2027, mandatory licensing of preschool organizations will be introduced, which will strengthen the requirements for the safety and quality of the services provided.

 For the purpose of social support, starting from September 1, 2023, children from socially vulnerable categories are provided with free meals. In 2025, 67,000 students received this support.

Despite the results achieved, the development of the preschool education and training system is accompanied by a number of challenges that require comprehensive consideration:

     1) despite the high average national coverage rate, increased demand persists in some cities, which leads to waiting lists. In rural areas, the development of the material and technical base and human resources is less even, which limits the opportunities for creating new jobs;

     2) the demand for personnel remains significant. Over 103,000 educators work in 11,900 preschool organizations, while the share of specialists with specialized education is only 84 %. More than half of the educators (52.2 %) do not have a qualification category, and the overall demand for personnel exceeds 17,000 people, especially in large cities. This leads to an overload of existing staff, an increase in staff turnover, and a decline in the consistency of the quality of work with children;

     3) despite the fact that preschool organizations are equipped with security systems, cases of abuse and incidents indicate the need to further strengthen staff training, standardize internal procedures, and develop systematic preventive work.

Paragraph 2. Secondary education

     Secondary education covers the majority of the country’s child population (about 4 million students) and is a key level for ensuring children’s right to education.

Secondary education covers the majority of the country’s child population (about 4 million students) and is a key level for ensuring a child’s right to education.

 One of the indicators of the quality of education is the historical achievements of students based on their participation in Olympiads this year.

 The successful participation of 1,720 Kazakhstani schoolchildren in 35 international Olympiads and scientific competitions in the 2024–2025 academic year demonstrated the highest level of domestic education and the potential of young talents. As participants, Kazakhstani schoolchildren won 1,006 medals (193 gold, 349 silver, and 464 bronze), which means that every second participant became a prize‑winner.

 Achievements in strategically important areas are of particular importance. Kazakhstani schoolchildren achieved a record success at the International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2025) in Beijing, winning three gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. In addition, at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2025) in Australia, in the competition among 650 of the strongest young mathematicians from 112 countries, the team won four silver and two bronze awards. This triumph on the world stage, expressed in more than a thousand medals and success in key areas, demonstrates Kazakhstan’s readiness to contribute to global scientific and technological progress.

 Students’ achievements receive significant support at the state level. At the initiative of the Head of State, winners and prize‑winners, as well as academic supervisors, are paid substantial monetary rewards.

Digitalization of education has become one of the important areas for the development of the secondary education system. 99.1 % of schools in the country are connected to the Internet, and the vast majority of educational institutions are provided with high‑speed Internet. The introduction of electronic journals and digital educational platforms has simplified the exchange of information between schools, students and parents, and has increased the transparency of monitoring children’s attendance and academic performance.

 In parallel, large‑scale construction and modernization of schools are being carried out. Between 2019 and 2024, the country built over 1,200 new schools (providing more than 1 million student places). This made it possible to significantly reduce the problem of three‑shift education. Almost 100 schools that operated in three shifts were removed from this category. The number of three‑shift schools has decreased threefold compared to the situation in 2021.

The national project “Keleshek mektepterі” has significantly improved school infrastructure: the construction of 217 schools with a capacity of 460,400 student places. “Keleshek mektepterі” is not just about new buildings; it is an updated education model focused on fostering educated, responsible, and competitive citizens. These schools will serve as a support for nearby schools and will bring about a significant improvement in the quality of education.

The infrastructure of “Keleshek Mektepterі” exceeds that of previous standard schools by 15–20 % in terms of area, and by a factor of 4 in terms of technical equipment. All the comfortable schools are equipped with modern classrooms for vocational training, music, choreography, halls, modern laboratories for physics, chemistry and biology, STEM laboratories and robotics classrooms, coworking zones and multifunctional sports halls.

 Efforts are also being made to work with children who are not enrolled in education. Every year, a record is kept of children of preschool and school age, and if a child is not attending school, measures are taken to get them back into education. Children who, for various reasons, have not been enrolled are placed under special supervision. Nevertheless, administrative liability remains the only effective mechanism for working with families whose children are not attending school.

 At the same time, issues related to ensuring equal access to secondary education for children persist:

     1) in recent years, isolated cases have been identified where children do not attend secondary education institutions due to various family circumstances;

     2) the need to improve legislative norms remains. For example, Article 31 of the Law “On Education” allows for the exclusion of children under 16 in exceptional cases. The subsequent placement of children is the responsibility of local executive bodies. At the same time, the lack of a detailed mechanism for their subsequent support requires additional regulatory clarification;

     3) an important issue remains the lack of an organized educational process for minors held in pre‑trial detention facilities. Unlike convicted teenagers who study in schools affiliated with institutions of the criminal‑executive system, children in pre‑trial detention facilities are effectively excluded from the education system for the entire period of their detention;

     4) the role of the family is key in a child’s educational process. The Law “On Education” establishes parents’ obligation to ensure that their children receive secondary education. In practice, it is observed that some parents are not sufficiently involved in the educational process.

Paragraph 3. Children’s safety in educational organizations.

 In Kazakhstan, a large part of the child population attends educational institutions on a daily basis, which is why special attention is paid to safety issues in these institutions.

In 2022–2025, Kazakhstan has developed a comprehensive system of regulatory, organizational, and technical measures.

All educational facilities are equipped with modern video surveillance cameras connected to operational control centers, panic buttons, licensed security services, and access control and management systems.

The basic document is the departmental instruction on organizing anti‑terrorist protection of facilities vulnerable to terrorist threats within the education system.

In 2024, the scope of requirements was expanded to include educational organizations with a student population of over 100 people, safety standards were clarified, and an obligation was introduced to record information about security systems in the national education database.

 Also, in order to ensure the safety of children in educational organizations, in 2025, a standard competitive documentation for the procurement of security services in educational organizations was approved, containing uniform requirements for security organizations and security guards.

 Paragraph 4. Inclusive Education

     State policy in the field of inclusion is consistently enshrined in strategic and programmatic documents.

     In 2024, the Concept of Inclusive Policy in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2025–2030 was adopted. For the purpose of interdepartmental cooperation, the National Plan to ensure the rights and improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025 has been implemented; it includes measures to develop inclusive education.

 As of the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year, more than 235,000 children with special educational needs live in the country, including 165,000 school‑age children and 70,000 preschool‑age children (2023 — 185,000; 2024 — 203,000).

 Educational organizations are the main institutions for implementing an inclusive approach. The Concept of Inclusive Policy for 2025–2030 includes indicators for creating conditions for inclusive education, which encompass an accessible physical environment (ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms), special equipment and educational materials (Braille, hearing aids, tactile technology), as well as the availability of trained personnel.A significant step was the introduction of the position of “teacher‑assistant,” which provides support for a child with special educational needs in the learning process. In addition, the standard staffing structures of educational organizations include the positions of “special educator” and “individual assistant in the educational organization,” and at the levels of preschool, technical, and vocational education, the position of “teacher‑assistant” is introduced. Standard staffing structures for special educational organizations have been approved.

 The staff of specialists includes more than 10,000 special educators, 3,800 teaching assistants, and 1,800 career guidance educators.

In 2025, regulatory legal acts were updated, including the Rules for the operation of the psychological and pedagogical support service, the Rules and programs for assessing the general educational program, as well as the standard for special psychological and pedagogical support for children with disabilities.

In 2024, 67 special standard curricula were approved, and 47 educational and methodological complexes were developed.

Funding for inclusive education is provided from the state budget. The “money follows the child” principle has been introduced.

 The state also funds professional development for teachers in inclusive education. In 2024 alone, the number of teachers who completed courses on inclusive education at the joint‑stock company “National Center for Professional Development ‘Өrleu’” exceeded 8,700.

Schools are implementing a model of three‑level psychological and pedagogical support for all participants in the educational process. This innovation предполагает support for the child at the class level (the teacher and the assistant, who implement adaptation directly during the lesson), at the school level (a psychologist, a defectologist, and a social educator working as a team), and at the level of external resources (consultations with the PMPC, resource centers).

 On the instructions of the Head of State, a new law on comprehensive support for children with disabilities is currently being considered; it is aimed at ensuring children’s continuous access to medical, educational and social services, as well as at creating a unified support system.

 At the same time, it is necessary to envisage further steps to transition to a qualitatively new model of inclusivity:

     1) in a number of regions, there remains a need to develop inclusive infrastructure and create conditions for inclusive education in educational institutions, especially in rural areas. Additional tasks are related to increasing the supply of teaching staff, strengthening support services, and developing teachers’ practical skills in an inclusive environment;

     2) an important area of focus is expanding the participation of children with special educational needs in extracurricular activities. Their share in the supplementary education system is still low, which requires adapting the programs of clubs and sections;

     3) the culture of inclusion has not yet become the norm in the mass consciousness of society. Support for families raising children with special educational needs also needs to be strengthened.

Paragraph 5. Technical and vocational education.

 At the level of technical and vocational education, there are…e are…

The training is primarily focused on technical and engineering specialties, which account for about 70 % of the grants.

 The employment rate for graduates under the state order reaches 81–82 %.

 Overall, the institutional framework of the education system ensures the implementation of state policy in the field of education at all levels.

Paragraph 6. Additional education

The work to develop the system of additional education is carried out comprehensively. By the end of 2025, the coverage of additional education reached 90%, or 3.5 million children (in 2024 it was 86.3%).

Free hobby clubs and sports sections are attended by more than 2.2 million (in 2024 — 2.1 million) schoolchildren, which accounts for 63 % (in 2024 — 63 %) of the total number of children covered by supplementary education. Most sports sections are funded through government contracts.

The Roadmap for the health improvement and development of children’s creative and intellectual potential for 2024–2026 is being implemented.

In 2024, 11 large additional education facilities were opened (2023 — 11 facilities). In 2025, the construction of 20 additional education facilities is planned.

 One of the areas of modernization was the introduction of voucher‑based funding.

Summer recreation and children’s engagement are important components of the system of supplementary education and health improvement.

In 2025, the coverage of children in organized forms of recreation reached 94 % of the total number of schoolchildren (3.2 million out of 3.4 million students in grades 1–10), which is 200,000 more than in the previous year. It is particularly significant that the coverage among children from socially vulnerable categories reached 95% (about 800,000 children).

Starting from April 1, 2026, licensing of organizations providing additional education for children, which offer educational and health‑improving services to minors, will be introduced; this will help strengthen the standards for safety, infrastructure, and the quality of recreation.

Along with the results achieved, the development of additional education requires further expansion of accessibility. In rural areas, the choice of clubs remains limited due to a lack of infrastructure. The infrastructure of state-run camps requires consistent modernization.

Chapter 3. The child’s right to health

 Protecting a child’s health is a fundamental right and encompasses not only the provision of medical care but also disease prevention, early detection of developmental disorders, and the creation of a safe environment and conditions for full physical, mental, and social development. State policy in the field of motherhood and childhood is viewed as a long‑term investment in human capital and is implemented in accordance with the international obligations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 In recent years, Kazakhstan has seen steady growth in healthcare funding. The share of spending on the sector increased from 2.8 % of gross domestic product (hereinafter referred to as GDP) in 2019 to 3.3 % in 2024. Funding for children’s healthcare doubled during this period — from 260 billion to 585 billion tenge, accounting for 23 % of the total healthcare budget. These changes have created financial prerequisites for expanding infrastructure, improving access to medical care for children, and introducing modern preventive and treatment approaches.

The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan is aimed at fully compliance with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and at strengthening guarantees of access to quality medical care, which is reflected in the Code on the Health of the People and the Healthcare System of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The institutional framework of the healthcare system

The formation of state policy in the field of healthcare and the ensuring of the realization of children’s rights to health protection are carried out by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

 At the regional level, the availability and quality of medical care are ensured by local executive bodies and healthcare departments.

 Kazakhstan has a multi‑level system for providing medical care to children, including polyclinics, hospitals, and republican centres. The healthcare system includes 11,120 healthcare facilities, of which 10,658 organizations provide medical services directly to the population, including children.

The primary care sector is represented by 5,617 facilities, with a significant part of the network focused on the rural population, which is of fundamental importance given the country’s vast territory.

To provide inpatient medical care for children in the republic, more than 14,000 beds have been deployed at the regional level (25 children’s hospitals) and 815 beds at the republican level (3 centers).

 Perinatal care in the Republic of Kazakhstan is based on the principles of three‑level regionalization; there are 240 obstetric care organizations, including 140 level 1 district hospitals, 59 level 2 maternity hospitals and departments, and 39 level 3 perinatal centers.

Paragraph 1. Types of medical care

Medical care for children is provided within the framework of the guaranteed volume of free medical care and the system of compulsory social health insurance, including emergency, primary, specialized, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

Emergency medical care

The emergency medical care service ensures 24‑hour availability of emergency care throughout the country and handles about 7 million calls annually, of which nearly a third are for the child population (29 %, including 10 % for newborns). The arrival time indicators for the urgency categories comply with the established standards.

Medical aviation is actively used to provide highly specialized care in hard‑to‑reach regions. More than 2,000 flights are carried out each year, including more than 300 flights to children.

Primary healthcare

 The universal progressive model of home visiting

Primary healthcare (hereinafter referred to as PHC) plays a key role in the prevention and early detection of risks to a child’s health. Since 2017, a universal progressive model of home visiting for pregnant women and children under five years of age has been implemented; it is focused on identifying medical and social risk factors (2 visits to pregnant women and 8 visits to children). In 2025, the home visiting service was institutionally strengthened by introducing a separate staff position for a home visiting nurse and updating the regulatory framework.

Prevention, immunization, and early intervention

 Support for breastfeeding and immunization remain key areas of preventive policy.

 At the same time, according to the results of 2024, 470,000 children (less than 80%) aged 0–6 months received exclusively breast milk, and 568,000 children (45%) continued to receive it until the age of 2, along with complementary foods.

Since 2025, Kazakhstan has been implementing a project by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development, and WHO to promote breast feeding and expand the network of child‑friendly hospitals.

 In the Republic of Kazakhstan, approximately 4.9 million people, including 1.3 million children, are vaccinated against infectious diseases each year. Approximately 30 billion tenge is allocated for the vaccination program.

Despite the progress made, the epidemic surge of measles in 2023–2024 has revealed vulnerabilities related to vaccine hesitancy and insufficient public awareness, which requires a systematic strengthening of communication strategies.

It should be noted that the measles outbreak in 2023–2024 was caused by the spread of the disease among unvaccinated children (83 %), of whom 58 % were unvaccinated due to refusal of vaccination, 24 % due to not reaching the vaccination age (children in their first year of life), and 18 % due to medical contraindications.

In 2025, the National Vaccination Calendar includes vaccination of girls under 15 years of age against the human papillomavirus, which is a strategic step towards reducing the incidence of oncological diseases in women in the future.

 One of the important areas of preventive medicine that affects childhood disability is screening examinations of children.

 The screening system covers all key stages of early childhood and includes neonatal, audiological, ophthalmological, developmental screenings, as well as the detection of autism spectrum disorders (hereinafter referred to as ASD). The expansion of early detection programs has made it possible to increase the detection rate of congenital and acquired disorders, while simultaneously highlighting the need to scale up early intervention services.

Starting in 2025, pediatric departments and early development and intervention centers (hereinafter referred to as EDICs) are being established within the primary care system; these provide a comprehensive assessment of a child’s development and implement individualized care plans involving interdepartmental cooperation.

Since the beginning of 2025, more than 286 CRRV centers have been opened, and 209 pediatric departments have been established.

School medicine

School medicine is an important tool for preventing non‑communicable diseases and managing behavioral risk factors.

 All schools are assigned to primary healthcare organizations, and there are more than 6,300 medical stations operating, with a high level of equipment and staffing. Thus, the equipment level of the stations increased by 18.6% and reached 92.2%, and the staffing level with nurses improved by 9% and reached 95%.

 The availability of medicines in school medical stations is 95.0%, in cities – 91.1%, and in rural areas – 96.9%.

Today, school medical staff must be prepared to provide emergency medical care not only in the event of accidents, but also in the case of sudden cardiac arrest. In this regard, all school medical stations are being equipped with defibrillators.

In 2025, a new standard for food provision in educational institutions was introduced, aimed at ensuring balanced nutrition that takes into account the age‑related and physiological needs of schoolchildren.

 In the context of growing challenges to improving children’s health in Kazakhstan, the “Salamaty Mektep” project is being implemented. The number of schools included in the project is 2,627.

 One of the priority preventive measures is ensuring children’s dental health.

One of the priority preventive areas is ensuring children’s dental health as part of the implementation of the “Bolashaqka saut dentem” project for 2024–2028. Currently, there are 145 dental clinics operating across the country. It is planned to establish 987 clinics over the next 3 years.

Specialized, including high‑tech, medical care.

Kazakhstan has a well-developed capacity to provide specialized and high-tech medical care for children, including neonatal care, cardiac surgery, and oncology: more than 50,000 operations are performed annually. Today, Kazakhstan is the only country in Central Asia where cardiac surgery is performed from birth. More than 2,500 cardiac surgeries are performed on children each year. In 2024, 698 endovascular interventions were performed (an increase of 12 % compared to 2023) and 1,802 open heart surgeries.

 The implementation of innovative methods continues.

 Every year, the country registers 500–600 new cases of oncological and hematological diseases in children; over 4,000 children with oncohaematology are under dynamic monitoring.

 In addition, there are more than 21,000 children in the country with orphan (rare) diseases, who account for 0.3% of the total number of children. With a budget of 262.9 billion tenge allocated to provide for 1.3 million patients, spending on orphan diseases accounts for 48% of the total expenditures.

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan has conducted an analysis of the provision of medicines to patients. Based on the results of the work, the main problems have been identified, and an Action Plan for improving the organization of medical care for patients with orphan diseases for 2025–2026 has been approved.

     Foreign treatment

 In the Republic of Kazakhstan, methods of high‑tech medical care are being developed, which gradually make it possible to avoid sending children abroad for treatment and instead treat them within the country. The launch of domestic technologies reduces external dependence and makes treatment more accessible, more effective, and more economically rational for the state.

 In recent years, advanced approaches have been introduced: radiation therapy, sclerotherapy with reversible electroporation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, proton therapy, and cardiac surgery.

 Thirty master classes were conducted with the involvement of international specialists, with a total value of 441 million tenge, which created a foundation for training personnel and transitioning to the independent performance of complex interventions.

The effect of technological development is already measurable. The number of hematopoietic stem cell transplants from an unrelated donor has decreased threefold, and the number of cardiac surgical interventions has decreased by more than fivefold. Based on the national oncology center, the only proton center in Central Asia is being launched, which makes it possible to carry out radioiodine therapy for children within the country.

Previously, children under 18 who needed high‑tech care that was not available in the country were sent abroad under the “Foreign Treatment” program; now, this need is decreasing. From 2022 to 2024, the funding was approved for 247 children, amounting to 1.5 billion tenge; however, the trend is towards a reduction in scale: the development of national capabilities makes it possible to redistribute resources, strengthening the system within the country.

 Thus, Kazakhstan is transforming from an importer of high technologies into a platform where they are developed and applied, and patients — primarily children — receive care closer to home.

Medical rehabilitation

Medical rehabilitation is represented by a network of 80 rehabilitation centers that provide care for children. To increase the accessibility of restorative treatment, outpatient rehabilitation was introduced for the first time in 2024.

 The Kazakhstan Khalqyna Public Foundation, together with the Kamkorlyk corporate Foundation, the Samruk-Kazyna National Welfare Fund Joint Stock Company, has opened 27 rehabilitation centers with annual coverage of 16.2 thousand children.

     Additionally, a network of early intervention centers for children under 3 years old has been deployed on the basis of medical organizations. There are 20 such centers with annual coverage of 12,000 children.

     Palliative care

Palliative status has been assigned to 2,500 children. Approximately 200 beds have been set up to provide palliative care for children.

 In the structure of children’s hospitals, beds for palliative care are set up (at least 5 beds).

This type of care involves a comprehensive approach that includes not only the organization of care but also the provision of technical equipment (orthopedic and respiratory devices), as well as the training of a multidisciplinary team of specialists at all levels of care provision (doctors, nursing staff, social workers in close cooperation with educators and psychologists).

Medication provision and pharmaceutical science.

 Kazakhstan is developing its own sustainable system of pharmaceutical supply, which covers both cities and the most remote rural areas. The country has more than 10,000 pharmacy organizations, of which 2,700 are located in villages, and for hard‑to‑reach settlements, mobile pharmacy units operate — the infrastructure is built so that medicines reach every patient.

The state annually…

The state provides free medicines to approximately 3 million people each year, including 223,000 children, and is gradually moving this work to a digital format. Since 2025, medical organizations have switched to electronic procurement via the web portal of the electronic finance center, which eliminates opaque schemes and speeds up the process.

The personalized collection of data on needs has replaced the previous regulatory approach: procurement is based on the actual number of patients, which protects the system from shortages and excessive purchases and improves the targeting of support. Medications are issued through the “Social Wallet” – an identification tool that has already provided more than 10 million prescriptions, covering nearly 80% of recipients.

 At the same time, national pharmaceutical production is developing to reduce import dependence, strengthen the country’s security, and ensure that patients have access to high‑quality medications, including those for emergency and urgent care. This approach turns drug supply into an independent resource for the country, rather than a source of external dependence.

Paragraph 2. Medical and demographic health indicators

     Birth rate

 Every year, approximately 360,000 children are born in the republic. The highest birth rate was recorded in 2021, when about 450,000 children were born, after which the figure dropped to 266,000 births in 2024.

     Incidence rate

 In the republic, about 6 million cases of diseases in children are registered each year. The main categories of diseases in the morbidity structure are diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, eyes and their appendages, skin and subcutaneous tissue. According to the results of annual preventive medical examinations of children, more than 53 % of the diagnosed children suffer from diseases of the digestive system, vision, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, nervous system, and endocrine system.

 The primary incidence rate in the country remains high (119,980.1 per 100,000 children), while the overall incidence rate has decreased by 17.2% — from 223,589.0 to 184,999.8 per 100,000 children.

The positive trend in overall incidence is due to a reduction in the number of children requiring dynamic monitoring. However, according to WHO and UNICEF data, in countries with a well‑developed pediatric service, the overall incidence rate should approach 140,000, and the primary incidence rate — 95,000 per 100,000 children, which indicates the need for systemic measures to improve children’s health.

 In the country, as in the rest of the world, a significant problem is the growing burden of mental illnesses. Thus, more than 12,000 children with mental developmental disorders and over 11,600 children with organic disorders have been registered. According to MICS, the share of children aged 2–4 whose development is in line with their age in three areas (health, learning, and psychological well‑being) is 75 %. The development of children, especially at an early age, requires additional support, including from their family members.

 The number of children diagnosed with ASD is increasing every year due to the expansion of early detection opportunities. The absolute incidence rates of ASD in the Republic of Kazakhstan among the entire population have increased more than threefold over 5 years, from 4,000 to 12,500 people, of whom 97% are children. According to WHO estimates, 1 in 160 people worldwide suffers from ASD.

     Infant mortality

Over the past 5 years, the neonatal mortality rate has decreased by 30% (from 4.81 to 3.37 per 1,000 live births), the infant mortality rate by 19% (from 8.37 to 6.80 per 1,000 live births), and the under‑5 mortality rate by 13% (from 10.69 to 9.2 per 1,000 live births).

 The main causes of child mortality under the age of 5 are conditions related to the perinatal period, congenital developmental defects, and injuries; for children aged 6 to 18, the main causes are injuries, malignant neoplasms, and diseases of the nervous system.

 Up to 200,000 accidents and injuries among children under 14 years of age are recorded annually, with 1.2% of these cases leading to disability.

     The prevalence of behavioral risk factors

     Managing behavioral factors in childhood shapes long‑term health potential, determining the likelihood of developing chronic diseases and a decline in quality of life in adulthood.

     The observed trend indicates a growing impact of diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and the consumption of nicotine, alcohol, and energy drinks on children’s health.

 One of the most significant challenges is the rise in overweight and obesity among school‑age children. According to the 2020 COSI study, 20.6 % of children aged 6–9 have excess body weight, of whom 6.6 % are obese. A quarter of primary school children do not have breakfast daily, which increases the risks of metabolic disorders. These trends are directly linked to changes in eating behaviour, the high availability of high‑calorie foods, and limited physical activity.

The pattern of beverage consumption complements the picture of a shift towards a high‑sugar diet. The HBSC results for 2022 show an increase in the regular consumption of sugary drinks from 60.1 % to 66.7 % compared to 2018, and daily consumption was noted among 14.4 % of adolescents. Micronutrient deficiencies are also significant: iron‑deficiency conditions account for up to 95 % of all anemias in children and affect cognitive, motor, and immune development.

 Against this backdrop, an increase in the spread is observed.

Against this backdrop, there is an increase in the prevalence of diabetes in children. The growth has been recorded at the level of 34.5%, including an increase in the proportion of type 2 diabetes, which was previously atypical for children. The combination of poor diet, physical inactivity, and excess body weight creates a long chain of risks, extending into adolescent pathology.

 The problem of insufficient physical activity is central. According to HBSC data, more than half of schoolchildren (51.3 %) spend a significant amount of time playing digital games and using devices, and another 17 % spend time watching videos. The daily physical activity of teenagers has decreased to 12.4 %, which is accompanied by an increase in screen time by more than 20 % over four years. Sedentary behaviour leads to weight gain, sleep disorders, impaired visual functions, and reduced stress resistance.

Hygiene skills also demonstrate insufficient development. Only 47.7% of schoolchildren aged 11–15 brush their teeth twice a day, and regular dental care is more common among urban children.

 In parallel, the prevalence of vision disorders is increasing: the post‑pandemic period with prolonged distance learning has led to a surge in myopia, especially among younger schoolchildren.

 The change in the structure of consumption of nicotine‑containing products reflects a shift towards electronic alternatives. The share of adolescents smoking regular cigarettes has decreased to 2 %, which demonstrates the effectiveness of restrictive measures. However, the use of electronic cigarettes has increased almost eightfold over the decade and reached 12.5 % of adolescents in 2021. The ban on the circulation of electronic cigarettes and the introduction of criminal liability in 2024 created a regulatory framework to curb further growth.

The risks are also associated with the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances. According to HBSC data, 7% of children have tried alcohol, and in the group of 15‑year‑olds, 2.3% have used narcotic substances at least once. Behavior is influenced by the model set by the family, the immediate social environment, and the lack of parental control.

 Energy drinks also pose a danger: 42.6% of teenagers consume them, one in five does so weekly, and 3% do so daily. Given the high stimulation of the cardiovascular system and the combination with sugar, this creates a separate set of cardiometabolic risks.

The current situation underscores the need to establish a system for early detection of behavioral risks within the framework of school medicine, to strengthen intersectoral cooperation with the education and social protection systems, and to actively engage the parental community.

 The modern child health care system, despite its steady development, faces a number of systemic problems:

     1) the effectiveness of early diagnosis and detection of diseases and developmental disorders in children remains insufficient. There is fragmentation in the long‑term monitoring of children at risk and in early intervention, as well as an imbalance and inequality in access to medical care between regions and levels of service provision.

 Late detection of developmental disorders in children leads to untimely initiation of intervention. Additional factors include the fragmentation of early intervention services and insufficient awareness among parents, which contributes to late seeking of medical and social assistance;

     2) despite the improvement in the equipment of maternity and childcare facilities to 87 % and the reduction in the wear and tear of medical equipment to 17 %, problems with material and technical support persist.

 Overall, the country’s pediatric hospitals are 88 % equipped with medical equipment; however, the most acute shortage is observed in the intensive care and resuscitation departments, as well as in diagnostic departments (computed tomography, expert‑class ultrasound diagnostics, digital X‑ray machines, electroencephalographs, electroneuromyographs, and others), and also in terms of surgical equipment and medical equipment for transporting children (transport incubators, transport artificial lung ventilation devices).

 Given the growth of the child population, issues related to the construction of modern children's hospitals, perinatal centers, and the renovation of existing ones are of great importance;

     3) The high prevalence of dental diseases in children, including caries, persists, which is linked to the quality of preventive work and the limited development of school‑based dental care;

     4) The high prevalence of excess body weight in children remains a serious problem. Insufficient interdepartmental coordination, the influence of behavioral factors, and the limited availability of preventive programs create long‑term risks for the health of the younger generation.

5) The problem of organizing medical care for children with orphan (rare) diseases remains relevant. The lack of uniform standards and stable funding mechanisms limits the availability of treatment.

 Every year, the need for expanding the network of pediatric oncology and hematology centers, ensuring the availability of innovative treatment methods and medication, is growing.

 Furthermore, the palliative care service for children needs to be improved, including the regulatory framework and the enhancement of…

The system of psychiatric care for children requires special attention. Insufficient material and technical resources, a shortage of specialists, and the ongoing stigmatization of mental disorders limit the timeliness and accessibility of care.

Paragraph 3. Children and the environment

A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is recognized as one of the fundamental human rights and is closely linked to the realization of other rights. Children belong to the most vulnerable group, experiencing increased risks from negative environmental and climatic factors.

 Environmental issues in Kazakhstan are regulated by the Environmental Code.

 The authorized body is the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which implements state policy and management in the areas of environmental protection, monitoring, the “green economy,” waste management, natural resource use, forestry, and biodiversity.

 According to international estimates, eliminating environmental risks can prevent up to 26% of deaths among children under the age of five. Approximately 2 billion children worldwide live in conditions of polluted air, of whom 500 million live in conditions of toxic pollution.

 The UN Human Rights Council recommends that states strengthen environmental education for children, ensure their participation in decision‑making, publish data on environmental risks, and provide access to justice regarding environmental information. The child’s right to a clean, safe, and sustainable environment was also enshrined in 2023 in General Comment No. 26 of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The key environmental problems currently remain air pollution, unsustainable production and consumption patterns, the accumulation of solid and hazardous waste, radiation and chemical pollution, water resource scarcity, and the loss of biodiversity.

 Climate change exacerbates these threats, leading to a reduction in water resources, the melting of glaciers, an increase in the risks of natural disasters, and a deterioration in food security.

International legal mechanisms confirm that climate impacts affect children’s right to life and health.

Kazakhstan plans to reduce emissions by 20% by 2029.

As a party to the Paris Agreement, Kazakhstan has committed to achieving carbon neutrality. Important conditions for protecting children’s rights are the continuation of climate policy and the creation of mechanisms for their involvement in processes related to environmental decisions.

The state is reviewing approaches to environmental education, implementing measures to reduce emissions of pollutants, and initiating the transition to WHO air quality standards. The Environmental Code now includes a provision on public participation in making environmentally significant decisions and the mandatory publication of environmental information in the public domain.

To fully realize children’s rights, it is necessary to expand information dissemination, systematically integrate environmental issues into educational programs, and raise the environmental culture of the population.

The nationwide initiative “Taza Kazakhstan” is being implemented, aimed at fostering a culture of cleanliness, responsibility, and careful attitude towards the environment among students.

Chapter 4. The child’s right to family and social protection

In 2025, more than 6.2 million families live in Kazakhstan, including 3.0 million families with children.

The legislative framework for supporting families includes a whole range of regulatory legal acts, including the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Marriage (Matrimony) and the Family” and the Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. An important strategic document is the Concept of Family and Gender Policy until 2030, which envisages strengthening the institution of the family, developing a culture of equal partnership between spouses, and increasing parents’ responsibility for the upbringing, education, and development of children.

Institutional structure.

The central coordinating body in the field of family policy is the Committee for Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The powers in the field of social protection of the population are exercised by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan through the departments responsible for coordinating employment and social programs at the regional level, as well as through an extensive network of centers providing special social services.

 The National Commission for Women and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan plays a significant role in coordinating and ensuring interdepartmental cooperation, and at the regional level, the relevant regional commissions do so.

The key function in supporting and strengthening the institution of the family at the regional level is carried out by the Family Support Centers, within the framework of which an integrated model of support for families facing difficult life situations is implemented.

Paragraph 1. Social support for families and children.

 Benefits for families with children

The state is implementing a multi‑level system of financial support for families with children.

In 2023, a digital family card (hereinafter referred to as the DFC) was introduced; it is an analytical solution based on the “e‑government” platform.

In order to support families with children, namely to encourage higher birth rates, facilitate the upbringing of children within the family, enhance the prestige and authority of mothers with many children, and support large families, a multi‑level system of social assistance and social insurance has been established.

 The republican budget provides for 5 types of state benefits and 2 types of social payments from the State Social Insurance Fund.

More than 2 million Kazakhstani families with children are covered by benefits, which are assigned regardless of the family’s income.

The one‑time benefit upon the birth of a child is a basic payment provided to all parents. The amount is 38 monthly calculation indicators (hereinafter referred to as MCI) for the first, second, and third child, and 63 MCI for the fourth and each subsequent child. In 2025, 338,000 people received this payment, with a total amount of 61.1 billion tenge.

 The monthly childcare allowance for children up to 1.5 years of age is paid to parents during the parental leave period. The amount varies depending on the number of children in the family. For the first child – 5.76 MCI, for the second – 6.81 MCI, for the third – 7.85 MCI, for the fourth and subsequent children – 8.90 MCI. In 2025, an average of 125,200 people received this allowance, amounting to 43.9 billion tenge.

единовременные социальные выплаты in the event of loss of income due to pregnancy and childbirth are assigned to working women. In 2025, 200,800 people received social payments amounting to 276.2 billion tenge.

 Monthly childcare payments for children up to 1.5 years of age amount to 40 % of the average monthly income of working women over the past 2 years. As of the end of 2025, 618,800 people received payments amounting to 425.4 billion tenge.

     Subsidies for mandatory pension contributions (hereinafter referred to as MPC) for working women during their maternity leave for children up to 1.5 years of age. Since the beginning of the year, 34 billion tenge has been allocated from the republican budget to subsidize the basic pension for 182.6 thousand citizens.

 Benefit for large families. The amount of the benefit is differentiated: a family with 4 children receives 16.03 MCI per month, with 5 children – 20.04 MCI, with 6 children – 24.05 MCI, with 7 children – 28.06 MCI, and for families with 8 or more children, an additional 4 MCI is added for each child. As of the end of 2025, 606.1 thousand mothers with many children received the benefit, with a total amount of 530.4 billion tenge.

 The lifelong allowance for awarded mothers who have received the “Altyn Alka” pendant is paid in the amount of 6.4 MCI; for those awarded the “Kumis Alka” pendant – 6.4 MCI. These payments do not depend on the family’s income. By the end of 2025, 244,000 mothers received the allowance; since the beginning of 2025, 78.5 billion tenge has been paid out.

Low‑income families whose average per capita income does not exceed 35 % of the median level, but is not lower than 70 % of the regional subsistence minimum, are provided with targeted social assistance (hereinafter referred to as TSA).

 Within the framework of the current social policy, ASP is used as one of the mechanisms of state support, implemented on the basis of clearly established criteria for need and a specific procedure for assigning benefits. At the same time, the system of social support for families with children and low incomes is provided comprehensively in the form of a monetary payment under ASP, an additional payment for preschool‑age children among the beneficiaries, and measures to promote employment for unemployed adult family members.

For disabled low‑income citizens, the ASP is granted unconditionally, whereas for families with able‑bodied members, assistance is provided on a conditional basis, subject to their participation in employment measures. In addition, families are provided with an additional payment of 1.5 MCI per child aged one to six years inclusive.

 According to the results of 2025, the ASP was assigned to 54,400 families, which amounts to 292,700 people, of whom 67.3% or 196,900 are children. The total amount of assigned assistance amounted to 33.4 billion tenge. An additional payment of 1.5 MCI was provided to 91,100 children from 46,700 families, with a total amount of 4.1 billion tenge.

Additionally, measures are provided to reduce the level of poverty, including housing assistance, provision of one‑time social assistance, material assistance from the universal fund, as well as other types of social support aimed at improving the living conditions of families, including those raising children with disabilities.

 Support is also provided for families who have lost their breadwinner in the form of a basic state benefit and a mandatory social payment, provided that the employer makes social contributions. As of the end of 2025, 191,900 people are recipients of the benefit; the average amount is 66,047 tenge, and the total volume of payments is 12.7 billion tenge.

 A key role in modernizing the mechanisms for providing services and social assistance is played by the implementation of digital projects and solutions aimed at ensuring a targeted, prompt, and proactive approach to supporting families, as well as at increasing the transparency and efficiency of budget funds.

Services aimed at providing social support to families and protecting children.

 As part of the state’s social policy, more than 49 types of services are being implemented to strengthen the institution of the family and support children, including:

social support for families in difficult life situations through the Family Support Centres;provision of technical rehabilitation equipment for children with disabilities;an invataxi service providing free transportation.

The provision of technical rehabilitation equipment for children with disabilities;

the invataxi service, which provides free transportation for children with disabilities to places of treatment, education, and rehabilitation programs;

sanatorium and resort treatment and rehabilitation activities for children with disabilities, chronic diseases, and special educational needs;

psychological, pedagogical, and social assistance provided through governmental and non‑governmental organizations;

social services at the place of residence, and others.

To ensure children’s right to social protection, a wide network of organizations providing special social services is in place.

Starting from January 1, 2025, licensing of the activities of centers providing special social services has been introduced, with a shift to per capita funding and the digitalization of service delivery processes.

 As of January 1, 2026, there are 593 licensed organizations in operation, including 6 centers providing special social services for children with disabilities and musculoskeletal disorders, 16 centers providing special social services for children with disabilities and psychoneurological pathologies, 276 home‑based social assistance departments, and 188 semi‑stationary organizations where more than 8,000 children receive services.

Parental employment

     Parental employment directly affects the stability of the family and the child’s well‑being.

 In all regions, there are labor mobility centers and career centers that help unemployed parents choose a profession, complete professional training and retraining courses in response to employers’ needs.

At the same time, special attention is paid to encouraging entrepreneurship among parents from socially vulnerable groups.

Since 2022, the “Bastau Business” project has made it possible to complete online training on the www.skills.enbek.kz portal. In 2025, 9,200 people received grants, most of them parents from large and low‑income families, as well as people with disabilities and parents raising children with disabilities.

The results of the state’s comprehensive measures to promote employment show significant coverage. According to operational data as of January 1, 2026, over 912,000 people have been employed, and 511,600 people have taken advantage of career guidance and training opportunities.

The labor legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan provides for a wide range of mechanisms that enable employees to combine professional activities with family responsibilities. The possibility of establishing flexible forms of employment, part‑time work, remote work, as well as the provision of paid leave for pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare creates important legal conditions to support parents.

 Guarantees of protection against dismissal for pregnant women and parents of children under 3 years of age are also established, and there is a ban on discrimination in employment on the basis of having children.

Housing for families with children

The availability of one’s own housing is one of the factors contributing to family well‑being and a child’s safety.

The state implements programmes to provide housing for socially vulnerable categories, primarily large and low‑income families.

The basic standards of state support include the provision of housing from the communal housing fund, subsidizing part of the rent for low‑income families, preferential mortgage loans through the “Otbasy Bank” housing savings system, as well as housing certificates that help cover the initial deposit. These tools are enshrined in legislative amendments to reform housing policy, which came into force in 2025.

 As part of the legislative changes in 2024, the functions of local executive bodies related to registering citizens as those in need of housing, distributing housing, and putting housing into operation have been transferred to Otbasy Bank. Otbasy Bank has been transformed into a national development institution, the main task of which is to provide citizens with housing.

Measures of state support for people in need of housing, including socially vulnerable segments of the population, are implemented through the “2-10-20”, “5-10-20”, and “Nauryz” programs, as well as through subsidies for part of the rent for housing rented from the private housing stock and the “Green Mortgage” program.

The “2-10-20” program is one of the key measures of state housing support for families. This is a preferential mortgage at 2 % per annum, with an initial down payment of 10 % of the housing cost and a loan term of up to 20 years. The program is primarily intended for those on the waiting list from among socially vulnerable categories (large families, parents raising children with disabilities, orphans, and children left without parental care).

 Social support for children with disabilities

 As of January 1, 2026, the number of children with disabilities in the country is 120,000 (as of January 1, 2024, it was 114,700), including 36,900 children with disabilities under the age of 7, 11,700 in the first group, 30,500 in the second group, and 40,900 in the third group.

The distribution of diseases leading to disability in children is as follows:

27% – diseases of the nervous system (32,400 children);24.2% – mental disorders and behavioral disorders (28,900);22.7% – congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities.

24.2% – mental disorders and behavioral disorders (28.9 thousand);

     23.7% – congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (28.4 thousand).

 To support families raising children with disabilities, a benefit is paid from the state budget to the family raising a child with disabilities until they reach the age of majority; the amount of the benefit is 1.61 times the subsistence minimum. As of the end of 2025, 113,900 people received the benefit, amounting to 104 billion tenge.

 In addition to monetary payments, an individual rehabilitation program is developed for each child with a disability, based on their rehabilitation potential, which includes medical, social, and professional activities.

State support is provided in a proactive format.

Since 2021, a social services portal has been operating, which allows individuals to independently select technical rehabilitation equipment (hereinafter referred to as TRE) and services based on their individual needs.

 Work is underway to improve the social services portal. Thus, the version for the visually impaired has been updated, a map of the availability of sanatoriums and SMS confirmation of arrival have been added, a "basket" for comparing goods has been introduced, a supplier has been selected without contacting government authorities, the return of goods has been simplified in agreement with the supplier, and online registration to the departments of medical and social expertise has been implemented.

In 2025, through the portal, people with disabilities received approximately 413,100 TSRs (prosthetic and orthopedic assistance, hearing and vision aids, tactile aids, special mobility devices, mandatory hygiene products), 8,800 services related to sign language interpretation, 28,400 services provided by an individual assistant, and 120,400 санаторно‑курортные treatments.

Since 2022, children with disabilities have been provided with support with reimbursement of the travel cost (70 % of the guaranteed cost; in 2025, for 14 days — 205,374.72 tenge). Since 2023, children with mental disorders have been provided with sanatorium‑resort treatment, taking into account medical indications.

 In order to improve the accessibility of rehabilitation, projects are being implemented. For example, together with the public foundation “Қазақстан халқына”, the “QH rehabilitation of children with disabilities at home” pilot project has been introduced. In 2025, it covered 402 children in four regions, 400 innovative technical means of rehabilitation were provided, 289 children showed improvements in motor functions, and a digital rehabilitation diary was introduced.

Significant changes have also been made in the area of transport accessibility. Since 2025, the invataxi service has been provided through the social services portal, which expands the choice of providers, increases the transparency of processes, and reduces service times.

 The social service system has introduced per capita funding, and tariffs for special social services have been developed. To improve the professional training of social workers, educational modules were developed in 2024 in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme; more than 10,500 specialists completed mandatory courses, and a register of social workers was introduced.

 Work is underway to develop infrastructure.

In 2023–2025, new large rehabilitation centers were put into operation in the cities of Semey, Taraz, Kentau, and Uralsk. In 2025, it is planned to open a center in the city of Atyrau; in 2026–2027, in the cities of Shymkent, Taldykorgan, Kokshetau, and Aktobe.

 Furthermore, the public foundation “Kazakhstan Khalykyna” together with the corporate foundation “Kamkorlyk”, the joint‑stock company “Samruk‑Kazyna National Welfare Fund”, and local executive bodies are working to establish day‑care centers for children with ASD and other mental disorders. To date, the centers have been opened in 7 regions (the Aktobe, Zhambyl, East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, and Pavlodar regions, the Zhetysu region, and the city of Shymkent).

 At the same time, the issues of further development and adaptation, taking into account the changing socio-economic conditions, of the following areas of social policy remain relevant:

     1) one of the important directions is the need for further development of the social support system to increase its targeting, flexibility and sensitivity to the real living conditions of families with children living in low-income conditions and raising children with disabilities in order to improve their situation;

     2) In recent years, the prosthetic and orthopedic care system has been modernized. Specialized centers are equipped with high-tech equipment, modern knee modules are widely used. In Kazakhstan, tire‑leather, combined, and modern prostheses are manufactured in accordance with the individual needs of the patient. At the same time, dynamic and neurally controlled prostheses, such as bionic ones or models using artificial intelligence, are not currently produced on an industrial scale.

     3) The pressing issues related to providing children with TSRs are the quality and range of products, taking into account the child’s individual characteristics, and the process of replacement and repair.

4) The limited access to infrastructure for children with disabilities in a number of regions, including to mixed rehabilitation centers and daycare centers for children with ASD, requires further development of the network with the adoption of interdepartmental child support routes.

Paragraph 2. Family relationships and child well‑being

     Prevention of divorces

     Prevention of divorces remains one of the most important areas of Kazakhstan’s state family policy. Divorce directly affects a child’s well‑being.

     Since 2024, a premarital counselling system has been developing, helping young couples make a conscious decision about starting a family. In 2025, the project was scaled up to all regions and is being implemented on the basis of the CPS.

The Action Plan for 2025–2027 and the media plan to promote family values are being implemented. The “Mereylі ottsa” competition supports the popularization of family traditions; over the past 11 years, about 20,000 families have taken part in it.

 Furthermore, the country celebrates Family Days, as well as Father’s and Mother’s Days, which helps foster respect for the role of parents and strengthens intergenerational cohesion.

 Since 2019, the “Bakhytty familiya” project has been implemented at interdistrict specialized courts for juvenile cases; it provides consultations with psychologists, lawyers, and mediators. In 2024, 37.5 % of cases ended in reconciliation (2023 — 33.1 %). The project has been implemented in 10 regions and is showing consistent positive results.

 As part of the legislative changes in 2024, in the event of a divorce, issues related to the upbringing and maintenance of the child are always submitted to the court for consideration.

 According to statistics, between 2022 and 2024, courts considered more than 1,000 cases involving disputes over establishing communication orders and determining the children’s place of residence after a divorce. In 2025, 493 disputes regarding the procedure for parents’ communication with their child were recorded (2022 – 543, 2023 – 442, 2024 – 515), as well as 754 disputes concerning the determination of the child’s place of residence (2022 – 701, 2023 – 616, 2024 – 649).

In 2025, uniform rules were approved for establishing the procedure for communication with children by guardianship authorities.

Alimony obligations.

 After a divorce, disputes often arise regarding the payment of alimony for the maintenance of minor children.

Over the past three years, courts have considered more than 5,000 cases related to the assignment of alimony (2022 – 1,602, 2023 – 1,704, 2024 – 1,922, 2025 – 2,252).

Due to non‑payment of alimony, many children are effectively left without support from one of their parents. In 2025, there were over 337,000 cases in enforcement proceedings related to alimony, including approximately 13,000 problematic cases involving non‑payment of alimony, with the total debt exceeding 18 billion tenge.

In 2024, opening an alimony account became mandatory for receiving alimony for children. This made it possible to target payments specifically for the child’s needs. However, the introduction of alimony accounts does not solve the key problem of debt.

 The responsibility of parents

 Conscious parenting is a key factor in a child’s well‑being. An insufficient level of involvement and control on the part of parents has a significant impact on children.

 Thus, over the past five years, the number of administrative offenses for failure to fulfill parental responsibilities has tripled (2020 – 5,618; 2024 – 19,806; 2025 – 27,713).

 Furthermore, the number of administrative offenses involving minors being in entertainment venues or outside their homes at night without the accompaniment of legal guardians has doubled (2020 – 65,560; 2024 – 112,403; 2025 – 130,507).

 Between 2022 and 2024, the country saw a decline in the number of decisions to deprive parents of their parental rights (from 1,341 cases in 2022 to 1,116 in 2024).

 According to the MIKS study in Kazakhstan, there has been a decrease in the use of violent methods of raising children from 53% to 18%. The data obtained confirm the need to further develop systemic measures to support families.

 In Kazakhstan, work is underway to implement projects aimed at supporting and promoting conscious parenthood. In 2025, the “Parents Academy” project was launched, which includes nationwide information campaigns, training events, and a specialized platform www.ata-ana.kz.

 At the school level, there are centers for parental pedagogical support.

Alongside the measures being taken, the following issues need to be addressed:

     1) Given the current realities, approaches to supporting the institution of the family and conscious parenthood need further development.

Most families face a combination of interrelated factors that have a direct impact on conscious parenthood and the child’s well‑being.

 Some of the key problems include the balance between work and family life, the distribution of time and household responsibilities, physical and emotional fatigue, ensuring children’s safety, the lack of time for interaction with children, and providing for the family financially.

A significant proportion of parents, especially women, are forced to return to work earlier than the prescribed period of parental leave. This reduces the opportunities for proper care of the child at an early age and increases the risks of leaving young children unattended.

 One of the problems in the system of raising children is the lack of understanding among parents regarding the importance of not delegating their rights and responsibilities for raising a child to other people, including relatives.

2) Divorces involving families with children are often complicated by family conflicts related to determining the schedule for communication between parents and children. Despite the equal rights of parents, in practice there are cases where one of them interferes. 

      3) Despite the presence of enforcement documents, the procedure for collecting alimony is often delayed. A common practice among debtors is to officially register a minimum wage, which affects the amount of alimony.

Paragraph 3. Social protection of orphans and children left without parental care.

 As of September 1, 2025, 20,798 orphans and children left without parental care live in Kazakhstan, of which 17110 (82%) are raised in families of Kazakhstani citizens.

     The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan establishes 4 forms of family arrangement (guardianship, foster care, foster family and adoption). Each form of arrangement provides for various types of financial support (a child maintenance allowance (10 MCI), and a salary for the foster carer (35 MCI), and for the adoptive parent (35 MCI per person).

 It is also provided for the priority right of relatives of an orphaned child or a child left without parental care to take the child into their family.

 As a result of the measures taken by the state over the past five years, the number of children being raised in organizations that carry out functions related to the protection of children’s rights (hereinafter referred to as residential organizations) has been reduced by 19%, and the number of such organizations has been reduced by 21%.

Starting from July 1, 2025, a new form of child placement has been introduced — a foster professional family. To provide financial incentives to foster professional caregivers, a monthly payment has been established for the maintenance of children (10 minimum monthly payments) and for services (70 minimum monthly payments).

In 2024, 2,762 children were placed with families, and 258 children were returned to residential care facilities. The returns are due to the challenges of adolescence and the insufficient preparedness of guardians, including relatives of the child.

 To prevent children from being placed in residential care institutions again, psychological training for prospective adoptive parents has been introduced; it is mandatory and is carried out at residential care institutions and accredited agencies.

Legislative changes in 2025 have strengthened the requirements for applicants for foster families, introduced a priority right for married couples to place orphaned children in a family, and expanded the forms of oversight of foster families by guardianship authorities.

 An important issue is the social adaptation of graduates from residential institutions. Support measures are provided for graduates of residential institutions, including a 1 % quota for admission to colleges and institutions of higher and (or) postgraduate education, social benefits, and the provision of dormitory accommodation.

     There are 650 graduates living in 13 youth houses, and 231 youth resource centres operate, providing career guidance and employment services.

In 2024, the institution of mentoring was introduced by law, and 345 people are already serving as mentors.

Providing housing remains a key area of social support for orphaned children. According to legislative changes in 2024, for the category “orphans and children left without parental care,” the requirement to reside in cities of republican significance and the capital for at least 3 years in order to be placed on the waiting list for housing has been abolished; it is now permitted to postpone the date of placement on the waiting list within the region when moving; and it is provided that at least 70 % of the total volume of rental housing must be allocated. The right to privatize residential premises issued from the state housing fund is also granted.

Over the past 5 years, the number of housing units provided to orphans and children left without parental care has doubled (from 847 apartments in 2020 to 1,599 apartments in 2024). At the same time, given that more than 60,000 citizens are on the waiting list for housing under the category “orphans and children left without parental care,” the percentage of housing units provided does not cover the actual needs.

 On the instructions of the Head of State, since 2024, the “Meiriim” charity campaign has been implemented, under which a патронажная organization is assigned to each orphaned child, providing assistance in choosing a profession, finding employment, and securing housing.

Despite the significant amount of work aimed at expanding family‑based forms of placement and modernizing organizations, a number of issues remain in the area of ensuring the rights of orphaned children and children left without parental care that require systematic improvement:

1) The process of selecting candidates for foster families needs to revise its approaches in terms of psychodiagnostics. In practice, when screening candidates, the main focus is on medical documents and material conditions, while the assessment of motivation, readiness to raise a child, and stress resistance is not conducted in sufficient depth;

2) Despite the positive changes in the area of social support for graduates of residential institutions, they remain the most vulnerable category of citizens. The lack of housing, the absence of mentors, insufficient preparation for independent living, difficulties in finding employment, and social stigmatization limit their opportunities for integration into society. Employment programs cover only a small portion of graduates;

3) Cases of violations of the property rights of minors, primarily orphans and children left without parental care, are being noted; these violations are related to the alienation of their property without providing an equivalent replacement.

     4) Certain tasks remain in the activities of residential care organizations.

     In 2023, their transformation into child support centers was completed. In a number of organizations, further development of individual child placement programs and mechanisms for systemic reintegration into the family is required.

     5)The infrastructure of some residential care organizations remains worn out and requires modernization. An analysis of the condition of the buildings and material and technical resources shows the need for timely major repairs and upgrades to the engineering networks;

     6) a review of the standards for providing clothing and food is necessary. The standards do not take into account the weight of the finished product, and the clothing standards include items that are not in demand;

     7) risks have been identified regarding the operation of private residential care organizations.Section 3. Overview of international experience

 The rights of the child are enshrined in the international practice of countries at the legislative and institutional levels.

 At the national level, the definition of policy in the field of ensuring children’s rights is entrusted to central authorized bodies. In most European countries, the executive body is a ministry responsible for the social protection of the population and children.

 The institution of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights plays an important role in developing recommendations for the Government. Around 60 countries worldwide have a specialized ombudsman or children’s rights commissioner institution. Norway became the first country in the world to have a children’s ombudsman. He is independent and has the right to address the Parliament directly.

 The main focus is on children’s participation in decision‑making that affects their lives. In 13 member states of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as the EU) (Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden), there are clearly defined procedures for direct consultation with children and families when developing or assessing the impact of laws.

 According to UNICEF’s assessment of child well‑being among 43 countries in the EU and the Organisation for Economic Co‑operation and Development (hereinafter referred to as the OECD), based on three key parameters — physical health, mental health, and skills — the leaders in terms of overall results are the Netherlands, Denmark, France, Portugal, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, Croatia, Sweden, and Italy.

Chapter 1. The child’s right to safety.

 In accordance with international practice, an effective system for protecting children’s rights and creating a safe and supportive environment is built on three key principles: interagency coordination, early and preventive intervention, and decision‑making focused on protecting the child.

 The common features of all effective child safety models are:

     1) clearly defined standards for child protection, mandatory for everyone;

     2) the presence of a unified system for recording and exchanging information between agencies;

     3) a preventive focus, including home visits, early diagnosis, and advisory support;

     4) the mandatory involvement of the child themselves in decision‑making, as well as their awareness of their rights and methods of protection.

Finland is implementing the “No to Violence!” Action Plan, which includes more than 30 measures to eliminate all forms of violence.

 In Australia, a national initiative called Child Safe Standards is being implemented, requiring all organizations working with children to implement a child protection policy, maintain internal reporting, consult with children, and continuously monitor the safe environment.

Early identification and assessment of needs.

 In most EU member states, there are provisions establishing specific obligations for the public to report cases of child abuse. 15 EU member states have introduced reporting obligations for all professionals.

 The Netherlands has established a system for early detection and response to cases of violence through school services and a national hotline.

 All EU member states have provisions for assessing a child’s individual needs, which require the development of a childcare plan. In addition, most EU member states have provisions for a multidisciplinary assessment of the child’s living conditions. The decision to conduct such an assessment is made by the case manager.

 In ten EU member states, there are certification procedures for social workers that include requirements for their education. This applies to Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Sweden.

Mental health of children and prevention of suicidal behavior in children.

In 2024, 81 % of WHO member states reported that they have a separate strategy or plan for mental health protection; slightly more than half (56 %) reported that they have separate or comprehensive plans or policies in the field of mental health protection for children and adolescents.

The 2024 WHO recommendations emphasize the need for a systematic approach to the mental health of children and adolescents. The WHO calls on countries to develop services at the level of…el of…

Programs focused on social and emotional learning based on educational organizations promote the development of prosocial behavior and help children cope with the challenges of adolescence.

 Integrating mental health support into everyday school life is a global standard.

For example, the Zippy’s Friends program, aimed at children aged 5–7, developed in the UK and implemented in more than 30 countries, helps reduce conflict behavior by 9%, decrease social isolation by 15%, and improve emotional skills.

 In Sweden, the first National Suicide Prevention Program (National Action Program for Suicide Prevention) was approved in 2008. The program includes 9 directions and its main message is that no one should be left alone and find themselves in a vulnerable position.

 In the vast majority of countries in the European region (66 %), legislative measures have been effectively implemented to remove barriers that prevent teenagers from receiving medical and psychological assistance without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

     Supporting a child in criminal proceedings.

 The Barnahus model for children who have suffered crimes that violate their sexual integrity has become a recommended practice, including by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Barnahus services have been established in 28 member states of the Council of Europe, and another five states are in the process of establishing a Barnahus system.

Protection of the rights of children in conflict with the law

Many countries note that one of the pressing problems is the growing crime rate among children.

International standards emphasize the need for a specialized approach to considering cases involving children and for implementing alternative educational measures at all levels of prevention and response.

 The Scandinavian model of protecting children’s rights and creating a safe environment includes a response focused on restoration rather than punishment.

 Online security

 The UK has passed the Online Safety Act, which obliges digital platforms and social networks to identify and remove malicious content. The possibility of introducing a "curfew" on social media for children is being studied.

     The United States has adopted the laws KOSPA and COPPA 2.0, which impose a duty on digital platforms to minimize risks and set default privacy settings.

Brazil, Canada, and South Korea have implemented national or regional online safety codes, including mandatory age verification, a ban on targeted advertising, and legal liability for platforms for cyberbullying.

 In France, since 2023, there has been a law requiring platforms to obtain parental consent for the registration of users under the age of 15.

 In Australia, for the first time in the world, a ban on the use of social media by children has come into force. Children under the age of 16 in this country have been blocked from accessing platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and others. Other countries (France, Denmark, Spain) are introducing similar restrictions, but Australia’s is the most extensive.

 Ensuring the rights of migrant children

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, adopted in 2018, focuses on a number of key principles and goals regarding migrant children, including a human rights‑based approach, non‑discrimination, and the best interests of the child.

 Spain has a network of state-run centers that provide accommodation and protection for migrant children who are left without adult supervision. These centers provide housing, food, clothing, education, and medical care.

Sweden provides a comprehensive system of protection for migrant children who are left without supervision, which includes assigning a legal guardian to each child, ensuring access to education through school integration programs, and providing psychological support to promote well-being and social inclusion.

 In the UK, the NHS Safeguarding Children model provides interdisciplinary support for children, including those from vulnerable groups: migrants, refugees, and children without status. The “zero barrier” principle is being implemented in access to medical care.

A safe environment for children.

 The countries of the European Union, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Australia have implemented comprehensive approaches that include regulatory building standards, mandatory inspections of facilities, digital risk monitoring, and the participation of children in the process of designing a safe environment.

 In Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, the “child‑centered design” model is used, under which schools, kindergartens, and playgrounds are designed taking into account the age, needs, and level of independence of the children.

 At the urban level, many countries are implementing the “Child‑Friendly City” initiative, which includes safe pedestrian routes, “30 km/h zones” near schools, illuminated crossing areas, and access control for outsiders to facilities.

Children’s road safety is central to the design of cities and settlements.

 In this context, the experience of Birmingham in the UK is noteworthy, where the “Street Leadership in Security” project is being implemented, aimed at improving safety.

Spain has a network of state-run centers that provide accommodation and protection for migrant children who are left without adult supervision. These centers provide housing, food, clothing, education, and medical care.

Sweden provides a comprehensive system of protection for migrant children who are left without supervision, which includes assigning a legal guardian to each child, ensuring access to education through school integration programs, and providing psychological support to promote well-being and social inclusion.

 In the UK, the NHS Safeguarding Children model provides interdisciplinary support for children, including those from vulnerable groups: migrants, refugees, and children without status. The “zero barrier” principle is being implemented in access to medical care.

A safe environment for children.

 The countries of the European Union, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and Australia have implemented comprehensive approaches that include regulatory building standards, mandatory inspections of facilities, digital risk monitoring, and the participation of children in the process of designing a safe environment.

 In Finland, Iceland, and Sweden, the “child‑centered design” model is used, under which schools, kindergartens, and playgrounds are designed taking into account the age, needs, and level of independence of the children.

 At the urban environment level, many countries are implementing the “Child‑Friendly City” initiative, which includes safe pedestrian routes, “30 km/h zones” near schools, illuminated crossing areas, and access control for outsiders to institutions.

Children’s road safety is central to the development of cities and settlements.

 In this context, the experience of Birmingham in the UK is noteworthy, where the “Street Leadership for Safety” project is being implemented. The project aims to improve road safety and the quality of life in inner‑city areas. 405 children aged 9 to 11 from five schools took part in the project; they carried out environmental checks in the areas around their schools, taking photos of hazards that threaten pedestrians.

The UK has become a leader in providing information about water safety. The country has a number of initiatives in place, such as the “Free Swimming” program and the state school curriculum, which includes a requirement that children must be able to swim 25 meters by the age of 11.

 In France, drowning is an important public health issue. The law requires every pool owner to equip the pool with a standard safety device.

The US “Children Can't Fly” program has required homeowners to install window grilles in apartments where children under the age of 10 live.

 In England, the “System for Assessing the Sanitary Characteristics and Safety of Housing” was developed; it is aimed at identifying potential threats to health and safety posed by defects in housing design.

 Portugal is preparing its national standard for balconies and staircases, barriers, railings, and handrails in buildings. For this purpose, a multidisciplinary technical committee has been established, and the government has given it the relevant assignments.

Chapter 2. The child’s right to education

 In terms of access to quality education and upbringing in cooperation with parents, the best examples are the experiences of Finland, Estonia, and Canada.

The leaders in terms of inclusion and quality of education are Finland, Estonia, Canada, and Singapore. The key elements of their success are: equal funding for schools, early developmental assessment, individual support plans, free textbooks, meals, and transportation, and digital services for monitoring academic performance.

 Education coverage in OECD countries: almost 100 % of children aged 5–14; adolescents aged 15–19 — from 61 % to 94 %.

In the field of supplementary education, Finland, Estonia, and Iceland are leaders, where every child has access to clubs and groups, and participation by families with low incomes is subsidized.

 In Finland and Estonia, access to supplementary education is provided through municipal children’s development centres, which include clubs, music and art schools, sports sections, and science and technology clubs. Participation in them is either free or subsidized by the state, especially for families with low incomes. The financial barrier is offset by a voucher system that covers part or all of the cost of the activities.

 In Iceland, the Youth Work model is in place, under which each municipality guarantees a child the opportunity to participate in at least one free after‑school activity.

 In the UK, the “School Sport and Activity Action Plan” programme is being successfully implemented. This involves the mandatory inclusion of daily physical activity in the school curriculum, funding for school sports clubs and extracurricular physical activity, and partnership with local sports organisations.

Chapter 3. The child’s right to health

 Overall, in European countries, the healthcare budget ranges from 7% to 12% of GDP; for example, Germany spends about 12.6%, France – 11.9%, Austria – 11.2%, and the EU average exceeds 9%.

The average infant mortality rate in OECD countries is 4 per 1,000 live births, while in Finland, Japan, and Norway it is less than 2 per 1,000. This is due to the well-developed primary care system, home visits, and early intervention.

Breastfeeding has reduced infant mortality by 13%. For example, in Norway, the coverage was 68% of children in the first 3 months. Visits during the first 28 days reduced the risk of neonatal mortality by 25 %. Screenings (metabolic, audiological, visual) have been implemented in more than 40 countries, and early intervention programs in 130 countries.

 In international practice, патронажные services play a special role in a child’s life and development. For example, the “Family Patronage Service” programme in the UK is a structured system of home‑based patronage visits aimed at young women expecting their first child, particularly those from vulnerable groups.

Ireland demonstrates an effective approach to the development of young children and early intervention within the framework of the First 5 inter‑agency strategy for 2019–2028, which covers the period from pregnancy to the age of five. The contribution of the healthcare sector includes: conducting universal and progressive home visits, supporting maternal mental health and early attachment formation, identifying developmental delays and coordinating referrals to specialists, and promoting integrated care through intersectoral collaboration.

 Child screening is an important tool for promoting health and well‑being, and its practice is widespread in various countries around the world. Despite differences in approaches and the scope of programs, they all share a common goal — early detection of disorders and timely intervention. Programs are in operation in more than 40 countries, including the USA, France, the UK, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and China. Developmental screening and early intervention programs cover children from birth to five years of age and are aimed at identifying developmental delays and supporting families.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is increasing worldwide. In OECD countries, there has been a steady rise in the rates of overweight among children aged 5 to 19, from approximately 17% in 1990 to approximately 28% in 2022. Only in five OECD countries is this rate below the global average of 20%: the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Japan, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 Japan’s success in preventing childhood obesity is due to comprehensive, culturally grounded strategies, including standardized, nutritious school lunches, widespread walking programs, and strict public norms regarding healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

International experience shows that sustainable and equitable access to quality healthcare services for children is ensured through the development of primary healthcare, mobile and remote service delivery, digital support, and a focus on prevention.

 In Finland, a system of maternal and child health centres is successfully functioning, covering over 99 % of families, and it ensures early detection of risks, regular check‑ups, vaccination and counselling.

Chapter 4. The child’s right to family and social protection.

 Spending on family support in OECD countries averages 2.3 % of GDP.

 There are three main models: cash payments (Canada, Poland), services (Finland, Denmark, Iceland), and tax benefits (USA, Germany, Italy).

 In Finland, Sweden, France, and the United Kingdom, policy focuses on supporting families and strengthening the role of parents through family support centers and positive parenting programs.

The United Kingdom implemented the large‑scale “Sure Start” program, which aimed to develop comprehensive family support centers in disadvantaged areas. The centers provided access to preschool education, parent consultations, medical support, and social assistance measures.

 The “whole family support” approach has also been implemented, under which assistance is provided not only to the child but to the entire family: systems of family counsellors and an electronic child route have been introduced.

The Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) in Australia reaches millions of families, reducing childhood behavioral problems by 30–50 % through online courses and group sessions. The program has been adapted in 25 countries, including the USA and Germany.

The “Incredible Years” program (USA) focuses on parents of children aged 0–12, improving discipline and emotional support.

Parenting programs, as structured courses that help parents develop parenting skills, often emphasize violence prevention and early development.

South Korea is developing a digital system for an individual social route, integrated with education, healthcare, and child protection databases, which makes it possible to proactively identify those in need and automatically refer them to the appropriate services.

 An important element in ensuring a child’s right to social protection and a supportive family environment in international practice is the development of family‑friendly corporate policies. These measures are aimed at harmonizing family and work life, increasing parents’ employment, and improving childcare conditions. The experience of OECD countries shows that sustainable…

In most OECD countries, the state encourages employers to implement work‑life balance practices by providing tax incentives, direct subsidies, family‑friendly certification programmes, and other mechanisms that reduce businesses’ costs of supporting employees with children. Legislative guarantees of flexible employment, including the right to a flexible schedule, remote work, or a shortened workweek, are enshrined, in particular, in the Netherlands and the UK, and are subject to mandatory consideration by the employer.

Germany is one of the most advanced examples of promoting family‑oriented practices. The “Erfolgsfaktor Familie” initiative provides consulting services to companies and offers grants for the creation of corporate childcare rooms, flexible workspaces, and mini‑kindergartens.

 In addition to government incentives, large companies in OECD countries are actively investing in support for workers with children.

 In the field of alternative care, the UN General Assembly adopted guidelines on alternative care for children, which establish global standards for prioritizing family‑based forms of placement, preventing unjustified institutionalization, and recognizing the placement of a child in a residential care facility as an exceptional measure.

 Germany has a system that covers prevention, family support, and foster care. So, in practice, the principle of subsidiarity prevails in Germany – family support before the onset of the crisis. Only if all support measures have failed and the situation threatens the child, the state decides on placement outside the family. Parenting outside the family is organized primarily through foster families.

 Thus, international practice confirms that sustainable systems for protecting children’s rights are built on comprehensive family support, the development of alternative family‑based forms of care, the active participation of children in decision‑making, investment in early childhood, as well as the involvement of both parents and the implementation of systemic parenting programs.

Section 4. Vision for the Development of the Field of Children’s Rights Protection

 Kazakhstan will develop a sustainable, supportive, and protective system for children’s development, support, and protection, where:

     the voice, best interests, and rights of every child are the highest value and priority when making any decision concerning their life;

     every child feels loved, valued, and important;

     parents, aware of their responsibility for their children’s life, health, and safety, raise them with love, care, and attention.

Society recognizes that every child is an individual whose treatment should be based on respect and goodwill;

the state creates all the necessary conditions to ensure children's rights in all spheres of life;

the safety of the child occupies a central place, where the values of independence and patriotism, law and order, unity and solidarity, justice and responsibility, diligence and professionalism, creativity and innovation are at the forefront in order to ensure the well‑being of the younger generation and the sustainable development of the state.

Section 5. Main principles and approaches to the development of the field of children's rights protection.

The development of policies in the interests of children will be based on clear principles that reflect the values, rights, and mechanisms of state action aimed at ensuring the well‑being, development, and protection of every child.

The principle of the primacy of the child’s rights and the best interests of the child.

 Every child is recognized as an independent bearer of rights and freedoms, and their best interests are the state’s top priority when making any decisions that affect their life, development, and safety.

The principle of early prevention and timely intervention.

State policy in the field of protecting children’s rights is based on the understanding that assistance must be provided in a timely manner. This principle reflects a shift from responding to consequences to preventing risks that could undermine a child’s well‑being.

 This is a continuation of the principle of a “hearing state”.

The principle of inclusivity and non‑discrimination.

 Every child in Kazakhstan has an equal right to development, education, and protection, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, or cultural characteristics. Inclusivity is becoming the foundation of a new social culture where the uniqueness of each child is valued. The state guarantees that no child will be excluded from the child rights protection system or restricted due to their life circumstances.

The partnership principle

The effectiveness of state policy is built on shared responsibility and coordinated actions of the family, the state, and society.

The principle of digital transformation in the interests of the child

The state is introducing the use of technologies, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to provide targeted support to families and children. Digital tools make the system for protecting children’s rights effective and predictable.

The principle of children’s participation.

 Every child has the right to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Special attention is paid to ensuring that children feel the value of their voice, understand the consequences of their suggestions, and see that their participation matters.

Direction 1. The child’s right to safety

Prevention of child suicide and the development of a culture of resilience

 In order to systematize and unify approaches to identifying risks, a unified state information system for diagnosing and detecting signs of suicidal intentions, violence, and bullying (harassment) against a child will be created.

 All the methods used will be adapted to the realities of Kazakhstan based on international practices and combined into a national toolkit for identifying children exhibiting signs of suicidal behavior.

 One of the priorities will be conducting scientific research aimed at studying the impact of various subcultures, the digital environment, and the deficiency of micro- and macroelements on children’s psyche and behavior. Recommendations will be developed to identify new risks associated with children’s participation in destructive online groups, cyberbullying, and content promoting self‑aggressive behavior. The research results will make it possible to update preventive programs and develop effective forms of work with children.

Clear protocols for interdepartmental cooperation will be approved, providing for a unified procedure for organizations providing secondary, technical, and vocational education, medical organizations, guardianship authorities, and law enforcement agencies.

 All secondary education institutions will implement a package of preventive examinations aimed at identifying signs that affect emotional state and cognitive functions.

The key focus of prevention will be the development of socio‑emotional learning. Children will be provided with classes on socio‑emotional skills and resilience, aimed at developing confidence, optimism, and stress tolerance, conducted by educational psychologists.

 Parents remain an important component of the system for preventing suicidal risks. Quarterly thematic discussions and consultations will be held with them, aimed at increasing their awareness of children’s emotional states.

Mental health centers will become more accessible to children.

 Enhancing human resources in the field of child rights protection

Developing human resources will become the foundation of a new system, where every specialist has the knowledge, resources, and state support needed to carry out their duties.

The key components will be the regional authorized bodies responsible for protecting children’s rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan (administrations and departments for the protection of children’s rights), which will take on the functions of coordinating the entire child rights protection system.

 Case managers will be added to the departments and divisions responsible for protecting children’s rights; they will provide support to every child who finds themselves in a crisis situation.

The issue of amending Resolution No. 1193 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 31, 2015, will be addressed. New performance criteria will be included in the certification system.

 Annual targeted training and education of social workers (the guardianship and custody authority) will form the basis for building a long‑term human resource potential within the child rights protection system.

 Special attention will be paid to reforming the institution of social educators as one of the key elements of the system for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of children.

 Educational psychologists and social educators will be considered active participants in the child rights protection system, playing a key role in early risk identification, preventing adverse outcomes, and supporting children and families. In this regard, it is planned to strengthen the qualification requirements for these specialists and to improve approaches to their training and certification.

The implementation of these measures is aimed at improving the quality and targeted nature of assistance to children, reducing the level of secondary trauma, creating a unified professional environment for specialists, and strengthening the preventive nature of the child rights protection system as a whole.

To strengthen the professional spirit and recognize the achievements of specialists, an annual republican competition “Childhood Protection” will be established.

 In all educational organizations, the QR codes for the 111 contact center, designed in a unified design code, will be updated.

 An important area for developing human resources will be the transition of the document management system of juvenile affairs commissions to an electronic format. The commissions will work in close cooperation with family support centers, which will ensure a comprehensive approach to resolving each situation.

Early prevention of offenses among children

The development of legal culture and respect for the law will become a natural part of the educational system.

The principle of “Law and Order” will be integrated into every level of education.

All children requiring special attention will be covered by the activities of the unified educational program “Adal Azamat”. For each of these groups, individual educational paths will be developed, including mentoring and coaching.

 The “Personal Safety” lessons, introduced in 2024, will receive new content and an impetus for development.

Children who have committed offenses will be included in supplementary education programs and cultural projects.

 Special attention will be paid to rural regions. The potential of cultural centers and rural clubs. 

Educational organizations will become active participants in the system for early identification of children at risk.

 All programs implemented by NGOs will undergo mandatory certification to ensure compliance with national prevention standards, in order to eliminate duplication, formalism, and ineffective work methods.

The activities of evening schools will be reoriented towards providing education for adults. Educational and preventive work in educational organizations will be intensified for teenagers who were previously sent to evening schools.

 Special attention will be paid to strengthening the capacity of special education organizations. These organizations will become modern centers for educational work. Updated training and professional development programs will be introduced for staff of special education organizations, including methods for working with children who require extra attention, modern approaches to education, and mentoring and support skills.

 Each specialized educational organization will receive new educational programs aimed at developing children’s resilience, socio‑emotional skills, legal culture, social and domestic skills, and a positive behavioral model.

 In order to strengthen the protection of children, the issue of creating a reliable mechanism for identifying a child from the moment of birth will be explored.

 In the future, a safe and supportive environment will be improved, where children are protected from violence, exploitation, suicide, bullying, and other risks, ensuring the child’s physical, psychological, emotional, and social well‑being. The key priorities will be prevention, early detection of threats, and the availability of timely assistance based on effective response mechanisms and interdepartmental cooperation.

     The development of a unified system to help children who have suffered violence.

 One of the key areas will be the creation of a unified system to assist children who have suffered violence. An interdepartmental protocol of cooperation will be approved, which will regulate the procedure for all involved agencies (law enforcement agencies, medical institutions, education, social protection, and guardianship authorities).

 In parallel, the investigation will involve questioning children by investigative authorities, taking into account their age‑related and psychological characteristics.

 Across the country, assistance centers for children who have suffered violence will be opened according to a unified model, operating on the basis of the international Barnahus standard. In these centers, a child will be able to receive the full range of assistance in one place, without the need for repeated visits.

 In order to ensure the personnel capacity of this system, educational topics on the specifics of working with children in criminal proceedings will be introduced in higher and (or) postgraduate education institutions across the country, including the basics of child psychology, interrogation ethics, and interaction with victims of violence.

 In parallel, a package of legislative amendments will be developed and submitted, aimed at eliminating gaps in legal regulation and establishing new standards for providing assistance.

Protecting children from digital threats

Creating a safe digital environment in the era of the widespread adoption of the Internet and artificial intelligence (hereinafter referred to as AI) is becoming one of the priorities of state policy in the field of children’s well‑being and digitalization.

 Enhancing modern digital skills and media literacy among children, parents, and educators is an important part of ensuring a safe digital childhood.

 Mandatory digital education will be introduced starting from the 1st grade: basics of cybersecurity, digital hygiene, critical thinking, and media literacy.

Mandatory training on online safety, creating school media groups, and identifying digital risks will be introduced for teachers. An important step will be to improve teachers’ skills in using AI in the educational process.

School codes of digital conduct will be implemented in schools. It is planned to scale up the “Cyber Safe for Family” program for parents: class hours, parent meetings with case studies, and educational materials. It is also planned to introduce an annual “Safe Internet Day” in all schools and other educational organizations.

A systemic monitoring of digital well‑being will be implemented, which will make it possible to identify risks at an early stage, collect objective statistics for the state, and adapt school curricula to real needs. For Kazakhstan, the introduction of such a system will be a step towards establishing a national standard for children’s digital health and safety.

 In the context of rapid technological development, an important focus is on developing children’s and adolescents’ skills in interacting with AI. Based on advanced international experience, a systematic training program will be introduced within the school curriculum in the following areas: algorithmic thinking — the ability to understand how digital systems and AI work; fundamentals of data work — skills in searching for, analyzing, filtering, and critically evaluating information; understanding of AI principles; digital ethics and responsibility — understanding the boundaries of AI use, protection against manipulation and fake news.

To this end, updated training courses on digital technologies and artificial intelligence will be developed.

At the same time, in order to prevent the illegal use of child labour and the involvement of minors, including migrants, in hazardous types of employment, requirements will be tightened and clearer mechanisms for legislative regulation will be established.

     Development of safety standards for children's infrastructure

     A republican project entitled “Child‑Friendly City” will be developed, based on indicators of the child well‑being index. Based on this index, a rating will be compiled of the regions and cities that are most favourable for children’s life and development. The project will serve as an incentive for local executive bodies to implement best practices in urban development that are child‑centred.

To prevent children from falling out of windows, new approaches will be implemented in accordance with international experience.

 To prevent drownings, annual monitoring of all water bodies in the regions will be carried out, with a mandatory safety check. Gradually, safe swimming areas meeting safety standards for children will appear in the districts.

Standards for enhanced road safety measures continue to be implemented near educational institutions.

The operation of children's parks, attractions, and entertainment venues will be strictly regulated.

 The video surveillance systems in schools will be upgraded to intelligent recognition systems.

Direction 2. The child’s right to education

Protection of children’s rights in preschool organizations

Uniform standards and protocols for responding to emergencies involving children will be approved for educational organizations.

To ensure high professional and ethical stability among preschool teachers, an annual psychological assessment of educators will be implemented.

Professional development courses, including a child safety module, will be organized for preschool teachers and educators.

In order to detect early signs of violence and emotional disorders in children, special detection tools adapted for preschool‑age children will be introduced.

Secondary education

Legislative amendments will be developed to ensure the accessibility and mandatory nature of secondary education.

 In order to strengthen the ties between the family and the school, the issue of granting each parent a monthly three‑hour leave of absence (time off) to participate in school meetings, consultations, and educational events will be examined.

The state creates conditions under which responsible parenting becomes part of the educational process.

The responsibility of legal representatives for not providing the child with the opportunity to receive secondary education will be strengthened. Cases of a child’s systematic absence from school without valid reasons will be considered a violation of the child’s right to education.

Children who are citizens of Kazakhstan and temporarily reside abroad will be monitored to ensure they receive secondary education.

For children in pre‑trial detention facilities, a unified route will be developed to guarantee they receive secondary education in full.

 As part of the digitalization of the education system, children who are not covered by education will be identified automatically.

Systemic measures and concrete actions will be taken to revive the culture of reading in schools as part of the implementation of the Head of State’s Concept “A Reading Nation,” including revising approaches to organizing the work of school libraries, creating a convenient environment, and conducting extracurricular activities to improve reading literacy, taking into account modern trends and means of popularization in various social networks.

 In the area of supplementary education, the issue of opening free clubs and sections for children based at cultural centers and clubs in rural areas will be addressed.

 In order to enhance children’s environmental awareness, events will be held as part of the “Taza Kazakhstan” Concept for the Development of Environmental Culture for 2024–2029.

 Inclusive education in everything

The key task will be a large‑scale professional development of all teachers in the country. All professional development and retraining programmes will include a module on the specifics of teaching and supporting children with special educational needs, which will be mandatory for teachers of all subjects.

 In addition, a course on the psychological and pedagogical peculiarities of working with children with disabilities will be integrated into the educational programs of pedagogical organizations of higher and (or) postgraduate education.

     Future teachers will be ready not only to teach, but also to understand, support, and help every child.

 Every child with special educational needs will be included in all extracurricular and after‑school activities.

To ensure systematic support for children with special educational needs, the number of psychological, medical, and pedagogical consultations will be increased, and an early intervention service will be established.

Direction 3. The child’s right to health

Providing children with quality medical care

Developing the healthcare system will lay the foundation for ensuring equal and sustainable access to the realization of the right to health.

Early diagnosis is becoming a systemic priority: genetic research is being expanded, the work of neonatal services is being strengthened, and modern screenings (the red reflex, pulse oximetry) are being introduced to prevent blindness, heart pathologies, and sudden infant death.

The development of the catamnesis service will become the foundation for disability prevention. Long‑term support for children from high‑risk groups will ensure early intervention, prevent serious consequences, and reduce future government spending.

 The improvement in the coverage and scope of preventive measures for children’s health will continue, along with the introduction of the WHO “Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses” programme, as well as the universal progressive патронажная model recommended by UNICEF.

Early intervention is a key component of modern paediatric medicine. 80 % of developmental disorders can be corrected if detected in the first years of life. Every undiagnosed developmental delay leads to a multiple increase in government spending on education, social support and healthcare in the future. Therefore, expanding the network of development and early intervention centers and increasing the detectability of disorders are strategic measures aimed at reducing childhood disability.

 As part of the autism screening test and child development screening, work will continue on the early identification of children with ASD and developmental disorders at the primary care level, followed by medical monitoring and socialization of such children.

 Work will continue to review the standards for medical care and clinical protocols.

 Establishing dental disease prevention clinics in schools will be an important measure, since childhood caries is one of the most common chronic pathologies affecting the quality of life and the further development of a child.

An interdepartmental roadmap for combating excess body weight in children will be developed.

The development and approval of a standard for providing medical care to children with orphan (rare) diseases, as well as the search for alternative sources of funding for the provision of medications to children with orphan diseases, will create additional opportunities for timely provision of such children with expensive medications.

The children's oncology and hematology services, as well as palliative care, will be developed.

 One of the pressing issues is improving psychiatric care for children. Mental health centers will be modernized.

 Ensuring the availability of medical infrastructure

 The construction of new perinatal centers and the renovation of children’s hospitals, as well as the consideration of building 10 modern multidisciplinary children’s hospitals in the regions, will ensure equal access and a uniform level of quality of medical care across the country, reduce disparities between regions, and create conditions for the introduction of modern technologies.

Consideration of building a republican pediatric clinic with 500 beds will make it possible to provide medical care to a larger number of children in need and create a modern clinical base for the training and education of pediatric personnel.

The development of design and estimate documentation for the children's emergency care center will form the basis for creating a unified national platform for emergency pediatric medicine.

Direction 4. The child's right to social protection and family.Responsible parenthood and a strong family.

 One of the key areas will be the introduction of additional measures to support families and strengthen parental responsibility.

Family support centers will provide premarital counseling services, which will enable young couples to make a conscious decision about marriage.

 Further improvement of the legislation is envisaged in terms of strengthening the priority of parents’ personal upbringing of their children. In emergency cases, a new legal instrument is introduced – temporary guardianship, which is granted only to close relatives and for a limited period, provided there are confirmed grounds.

 An interactive course on responsible parenthood will be created on the eGov platform. It will become mandatory for parents during key periods of their child’s life.

 It is envisaged to improve the mechanisms for parents’ participation in the upbringing and life of the child, aimed at protecting the child’s right to communicate with both parents.

 An important area will be strengthening property guarantees for minors. A requirement will be established to provide the child with equivalent housing when property is alienated, as well as oversight by the guardianship authorities over any actions by parents related to the child’s property.

Parents who have had their rights restored will not be able to dispose of the minor’s property. These measures will prevent cases of abuse and ensure the protection of the child’s rights to housing and property.

 All existing projects, such as the “Parent Academy” and parental pedagogical support centers, will continue to operate and will receive new development. They will become centers for fostering a culture of positive and responsible parenting, where parents will be able to receive consultations.

All ongoing projects, such as the “Parent Academy” and centers for parental educational support, will continue to operate and receive new development. They will become centers for fostering a culture of positive and responsible parenthood, where parents can receive consultations, undergo training, and exchange experience.

     A future without barriers

     The key principle will be to revise approaches to assigning state support measures to children from low‑income families and families raising children with disabilities, taking into account socio‑economic vulnerability in order to improve the situation of children. Benefits and social payments will be provided in a proactive format, without the need to collect documents or make additional applications.

 All children will be given the opportunity to travel free of charge on surface public transport.

 Special attention is paid to parents raising children with disabilities. The issue of reviewing the package for parents raising children with disabilities will be considered.

Programs for providing technical means of support will be reviewed and expanded to meet the children’s real needs as fully as possible.

 Approaches to providing prosthetic and orthopedic assistance to children will also be updated, incorporating modern innovative technologies, including next‑generation prostheses.

A unified support algorithm will be developed for children who have undergone amputations of the upper and lower limbs.

 Support and socialization of children left without parental care

The state will strengthen the system of support for families that take children into their care.

A unified standard for supporting foster families will be introduced, defining the stages, timeframes, and support measures.

 Special attention will be paid to schools for foster parents. They will adopt international training standards. The opening of such schools will be possible only after strict accreditation, with the right to train revoked in the event of violations.

The mentoring institution will be given new content. Now, mentors will be assigned primarily to teenagers who are preparing to leave the organizations.

 Organizations for orphans and children left without parental care will undergo a modernization program. Major and routine repairs of buildings will be carried out, and sleeping and educational facilities, as well as recreation and living areas, will be updated.

The staffing potential of residential care organizations will be reviewed. Each caregiver and teacher will complete advanced training courses.

The material and technical support of residential care organizations will be fully aligned with the law on public procurement. All purchases will be carried out through a transparent public procurement system that eliminates any abuse. At the same time, the standards for providing children with clothing and footwear will be revised, taking into account age and climate.

 Organizations located in industrial or isolated zones will be relocated in stages.

 In addition, an interdepartmental program for supporting graduates is being developed, under which each graduate is assigned a case manager who will support the child from the moment of graduation until they receive housing and find employment.

Candidates for adoption and guardianship will undergo mandatory psychological assessment, as well as periodic checks after taking in a child.

Implementing all the above‑mentioned measures will make it possible to create a generation of progressive, honest, proactive, and competitive citizens who are ready to create, innovate, and take responsibility for the future of Kazakhstan.

Section 6. Target Indicators and Expected Results

Target Indicators:

1) Children’s well‑being index (2026 – 61.5 points, 2027 – 63 points, 2028 – 64.5 points, 2029 – 66 points, 2030 – 68 points);

2) the share of specialists with specialized knowledge in the field of child rights protection (2026 – 60%, 2027 – 70%, 2028 – 80%, 2029 – 90%, 2030 – 100%);

3)The level of legal protection for children (2026 – 93%, 2027 – 94%, 2028 – 95%, 2029 – 96%, 2030 – 97%);

     4)The share of children's infrastructure facilities, services, and goods that meet safety requirements (2026 – 60%, 2027 – 65%, 2028 – 70%, 2029 – 75%, 2030 – 80%);

     5)The share of preschool and school‑age children with continuous access to education (2026 – 98 %, 2027 – 98.5 %, 2028 – 99 %, 2029 – 99.5 %, 2030 – 100 %);

     6)The share of school‑age children with special educational needs studying in general education schools under inclusive education conditions, as a percentage of the total number of school‑age children with special educational needs (2026 – 50 %, 2027 – 52 %, 2028 – 53 %, 2029 – 54 %, 2030 – 55 %).

7) the level of wear and tear of healthcare infrastructure facilities across the country (2026 – 42.1%, 2027 – 38.5%, 2028 – 35.7%, 2029 – 32.2%, 2030 – 30.0%);

8)Coverage of the child population with preventive measures (screenings, home visits, including the universal progressive home visit model) (2026 – 50%, 2027 – 58%, 2028 – 63%, 2029 – 65%, 2030 – 66%);

     9)The share of families covered by responsible parenting courses (2026 – 10%, 2027 – 20%, 2028 – 30%, 2029 – 40%, 2030 – 50%);

     10)An increase in the share of children covered by additional social support measures (2026 – by 5%, 2027 – by 7%, 2028 – by 10%, 2029 – by 12%, 2030 – by 15%).

 As a result of implementing the Concept, the following expected outcomes will be achieved:

     1) systematization of existing support measures in

2) increasing the level of children’s engagement and expanding their participation in the processes of fostering a culture that respects the child’s voice and opinion;

     3) developing a culture of inclusion;

     4) implementing and updating standards for working with children;

     5) reviewing approaches to state support measures in the field of social protection aimed at improving the situation of children;

     6) strengthening the human resources capacity of the child rights protection system;

     7)The formation of an effective child protection system in the regions and ensuring interdepartmental coordination in the interests of the child;

     8) strengthening the institution of the family and raising the level of parental responsibility;

     9) modernizing and strengthening infrastructure tailored to the needs of all children;

     10) improving the quality of ensuring children’s rights, as well as the level of well‑being and safety of children.

     Funding for the Concept’s activities will be provided from and within the funds allocated in the republican and local budgets, as well as from extrabudgetary funds.

 The action plan for implementing the “Children of Kazakhstan” Concept for 2026–2030 is attached to this Concept.

      ______________________

План действий по реализации Концепции "Дети Казахстана" на 2026 – 2030 годы

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      Note: abbreviation расшифровки:

 JSC – joint-stock company

     MЮ – Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     UPR – Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan

     GP – General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     KPSiSU – Committee for Legal Statistics and Special Records of the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     EBS – extra-budgetary funds

 MNVO – Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     MH – Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     MTsSZ – Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan

 LEOs – local executive bodies

     LB – local budget

 VNTK – Higher Scientific and Technical Commission

 MIAIDR – Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     MT – Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     CT – computed tomography

     MF – Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     RK – Republic of Kazakhstan

 MCI – Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     OSMS – compulsory social health insurance

 MRI – magnetic resonance imaging

     MP – Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     VENT – mechanical ventilation of the lungs

     MPS – Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan

 NJSC NNPIBD “Өrken” – non‑commercial joint‑stock company “National Scientific and Practical Institute of Children’s Well‑being ‘Өrken’”

     RB – republican budget

 JSC “Samruk‑Kazyna National Welfare Fund” – Joint-Stock Company “Samruk‑Kazyna National Welfare Fund”

     MTI – Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     EMERCOM – Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     MTS – Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     US – ultrasound examination

     Taldau – JSC “National Center for Research and Education Assessment ‘Taldau’ named after Akhmet Baitursynuly”

MNE – Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

 MIA – Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     MEPP – Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan

     UNICEF – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

     LED – Light Emitting Diode

     SAFE – SUPPORT, AWARENESS, FRAMEWORK, EDUCATION

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