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Promoting Childhood Development In Kazakhstan

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (21 December 2001) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a US$600,000 technical assistance grant to prepare a childhood development project in Kazakhstan. The grant is from its Japan Special Fund, financed by the Japanese Government.

The project will provide mothers and children up to seven years old with quality pre-school education and maternal and child health services. It will be targeted at rural communities.

Since independence in 1991, budget constraints have led to a sharp fall in social services, including the closure of many health care and education facilities.

The assistance will help the Government pilot the project in South Kazakhstan and Zhambyl provinces. This will include developing a strategy and action plan, a financial sustainability analysis, and a project design.

"Experiences in early childhood have lasting effects on personality and achievement in school. Such an investment will bring high returns in terms of human development," notes ADB Poverty Reduction Specialist, Rie Hiraoka.

The rate of children attending kindergartens has dropped from 50 percent before independence to 20 percent in urban areas and 2 percent in rural areas in 2000. Access needs to be widened and made more affordable. Alternative models to conventional kindergartens, such as mini rural centers, may be needed. Qualified health specialists and facilities frequently lack basic supplies and instruments, as well as the up-to-date knowledge needed to deliver effective services to women and children.

The ADB assistance will account for 70 percent of the project cost of US$857,200, with the Government meeting the balance.

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