Education Debate Dominates Kazakhstan Election Campaign Week

Education reform took center stage in Kazakhstan's election campaign this week, with seven political parties participating in a nationally televised debate. The two-and-a-half-hour broadcast allowed party representatives to outline their strategies for improving the education system.

The debate featured four segments: initial platform presentations, a discussion on education reform with social media-submitted questions, audience questions from the studio, and final appeals to voters. Following the broadcast, an online poll indicated strong viewer engagement, with the Adilet party securing 45.48% of the vote for the most convincing performance. Auyl party followed with 15.58%, and Respublica with 12.01%.

Beyond the education debate, parties actively campaigned across the country, addressing key issues such as rural development, healthcare, business support, and social inclusion. In meetings with residents, particularly in remote villages, concerns about road conditions, water supply, public utilities, and social infrastructure were frequently raised. Poor mobile phone coverage and limited internet access in rural communities emerged as recurring problems.

Parties are proposing solutions to these challenges. The Adilet party aims to provide high-quality internet access to at least 97% of Kazakhstan's rural settlements. The Auyl party is focusing on job creation, infrastructure, modern farming technologies, and retaining young professionals in rural areas, emphasizing food security through improved supply chains. The Aq Jol Democratic Party engaged with manufacturing and logistics businesses in Almaty, discussing economic growth.