Kazakhstan Explains How It Contains Tuition Fee Increases at State Universities
State universities in Kazakhstan may increase tuition fees within the limits of inflation, stated Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek. According to him, the ministry does not have the authority to impose the same restriction on private universities.
Responding to a question about tuition costs, which in some state universities reach several million tenge per year, Nurbek referred to the system of educational grants. Over the past seven years, the state has allocated more than 655,000 grants totaling approximately 1.5 trillion tenge ($3.37 billion at the National Bank exchange rate as of November 12).
In addition to grants that fully cover tuition, Kazakhstan offers grants that pay up to half of its cost. Among other support measures, the minister mentioned interest-free educational loans and the "National Fund for Children" program. According to him, around 240,000 families have already opened educational savings accounts under the "Keleshek" program.
Nurbek added that the ministry is discussing tuition costs with the association of private universities. Separate negotiations are underway with foreign universities opening branches in Kazakhstan. The ministry is working to ensure that studying at these branches is cheaper than at the main campuses abroad.
