Abolition of payment for meals in kindergartens: Education Ministry’s commentary

14:58, 02 ноября 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Maria ORLOVA

Co-payment for meals in kindergartens will be abolished after the adoption of by-laws. The Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan informed 24.kg news agency.

The ministry noted that according to Article 28, paragraph 4 of the Law on Education, adopted on August 11, 2023, the sources of funding for meals are:

  • Republican budget funds;
  • Local budget funds;
  • Funds voluntarily contributed by individuals and legal entities;
  • Funds of parents (legal representatives);
  • Other sources that do not contradict the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

«On the other hand, paragraph 6 states that «the meals in preschool educational organizations are provided at the expense of parents’ (legal representatives’) funds.» Article 64 of the law provides that the provisions must be brought into compliance with this document within one calendar year from the date of its official publication,» the ministry noted.

Article 28 of the Law on Education will be executed after the adoption of regulatory legal acts.

A letter of the Ministry of Finance to the Presidential Executive Office on the payment for meals in kindergartens has been sent out on social media. The ministry explained that the new version of the Law on Education was adopted on August 11. Article 28, paragraph 6 provides that the meals in preschool educational organizations are provided at the expense of parents (legal representatives). The Ministry of Finance did not specify when the allocation of funds from the state would stop.