ALMATY. August 20. KAZINFORM /Aigul Turysbekova/ It is needed to prepare all necessary resources including regulatory and legal framework and training materials for the shift to a 12-year basic education cycle. Kazakh Minister of Education and Science Zhanseit Tuimebayev has made it public in Almaty today.

The Minister reminded that the state program of education development for 2005-2010 was coming to an end. A new program is designed till 2020. Currently it is hotly debated throughout the country. The main issues are the mechanism of its implementation and transition to a 12-year general secondary education. Each teacher must take a course on 12-year schooling", Z. Tuimebayev said.

The second task is to enhance the value of the spiritual and moral education of school students. For this purpose a new subject called 'Self-knowledge' will be introduced at schools. Another equally important issue is the coverage of children with preschool education within the framework of 'Balapan' Program", the Minister emphasized.

Mr. Tuimebayev paid special attention to the problem with triple-shift schools in Kazakhstan. Till the end of the year it is planned to reduce their number from 70 to 46 through opening of new schools.