A new bill has been submitted to the Majilis, which involves modifications in various legislative acts related to education and the protection of children's rights, El.kz reports.
This draft law includes an understanding of foster professional families and also provides for the provision of social assistance to families in difficult social situations studying in private educational institutions. The main goal of these changes is to reduce the number of children in orphanages.
Vice Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Edil Ospan said that the bill proposes to place children directly in foster families, bypassing orphanages. At the same time, there will be a limit on the number of children in each family - no more than four.
"The purpose of this approach is to ensure that each child in the family receives enough attention and care from the adoptive parents," the vice minister explained.
In addition, new requirements are being introduced for foster parents: age from 30 to 53 years, mandatory psychological training and accreditation with the relevant authorities.
Edil Ospan also noted: "The category of children who can be sent to families is becoming wider. In addition to orphans and children without parental care, families may also accept street children and children in need of special social services."
He also added that professional foster caregivers will be paid compensation in the amount of 10 MCI for each child and 70 MCI for the services of a foster educator.
As for social support for families in private schools, local authorities will now provide assistance in all educational institutions, regardless of their form of ownership.
"Currently, 465,000 children from socially vulnerable groups receive assistance in public schools, including clothes, shoes, school supplies and food. However, an additional 25,000 children studying in private schools do not benefit from such assistance," the vice minister of education said.