World Children’s Day is
celebrated on November 20. It was declared by the UN General Assembly in 1954,
marking a significant milestone in the establishment of children’s rights. The
younger generation accounts for nearly a third of Kazakhstan’s population, namely
more than 6.8 million people. The country places special emphasis on their
rights and protection and has ratified several international treaties. Thus, an
institution of ombudsman for children’s rights has been established. Over 80
percent of schoolchildren are involved in supplementary education to enhance
interest in sports and a healthy lifestyle. There are plans to increase
participation in sports clubs by 50 percent by 2025. Special attention is also given
to the safety of educational institutions. Schools are connected to the
Operational Management Center for Educational Facilities and installed with panic
buttons to ensure security.
“One of the main priorities of state policy is the well-being and support of children. Therefore, our country has acceded to 15 international child protection-oriented documents. Systematic work is currently underway to achieve international quality of life standards for our younger generation. Thereby, specific mechanisms for their implementation are provided,” said Yedil Ospan, Kazakh Vice Minister of Education.