Another corruption scandal flares up in Kazakhstan in the field of education. According to insider information, a pre-trial investigation has been launched in Karaganda region against the head of the Regional Education Department, Gulsum Kozhakhmetova.
The investigation is being conducted under the article of the Criminal Code “Misappropriation or embezzlement of entrusted property of others” on an especially large scale, committed by a person authorized to perform state functions. The punishment under this article, if the suspect’s guilt is proven, provides for imprisonment for a term of 7 to 12 years with confiscation of property, with life deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.
In addition, a pre-trial investigation was also initiated against the director of the company “KazInterService-Astana” Dana Tulepova and a certain G. Shuvalov, the director of Logikom LLP.
According to the investigation, the head of the Education Department Kozhakhmetova, with the help of the directors of the above companies, purchased 2,500 computers and 19,000 laptops for educational institutions that don’t meet the technical specifications for the contracts. Thus, the state suffered material damage in the amount of over $ 9 million.
It should be clarified that these events took place during a pandemic, when there was a strict quarantine throughout the country. So, the schools of the republic worked online. Since not all schoolchildren had the opportunity to purchase the equipment necessary for online education, the authorities allocated money from the budget to purchase computers and laptops for schools, which were then given to such children for temporary use.
The Education Department of Karaganda region confirmed the fact of the pre-trial investigation, but didn’t agree with suspicions about themselves.
“In 2020, in order to provide computer equipment to educational organizations of Karaganda region, the Education Department purchased 28,058 units of computer equipment (of which computers – 2,920, laptops – 21,355, tablets – 3,783). All computer equipment complies with the technical specifications for the concluded contracts. To ensure transparency in the procurement and acceptance of computer equipment, by order of the Education Department, a working group was created, which included representatives of various structures, including specialists in computer equipment.
The control authorities carried out an independent examination, as a result of which the compliance of the computer equipment with all the requirements of the technical specification was determined. The question arose only on the availability of the “Device Management and Application Management” program. This software package is installed and removed from the computer through the Control panel – “Add or remove programs”. This procedure can be done by any user. The technical specification doesn’t provide for blocking the uninstallation of programs. This software package has been sent to all schools for reinstallation if necessary. At present, the Education Department has prepared an objection letter concerning the audit report, as well as the expert opinion letter regarding the compliance of the purchased computer equipment with the technical specification,” the official statement of the Education Department says.
Irina Smirnova, a member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan from the People’s party, called this situation disgusting and said that such people have nothing to do in education.
“I cannot find the words to describe it! I want to scream! It’s impossible to explain! Education administrations in some regions couldn’t resist and appropriated some money aimed at such a difficult time for children from families with difficult life situation. Some families were given only 1 computer, although there are several children. They covered themselves with a lack of funds, but they didn’t forget to steal for themselves. Also, giving computers and tablets of very dubious quality, they forced to sign an agreement that in case of breakdown, instead of a lost or broken computer, they need to pay … and here the fantasies of the “truth-fighters” ranged from $ 470 to $ 835. I know a family where the computer hung after a while, not because it was broken, but because the quality was terrible. And the child’s mother is afraid to tell the school about it, because she gave a receipt for the obligation to pay $ 715 for the broken computer. And the child studied with his friend on his phone. It’s disgusting. Such people shouldn’t be in the educational field!” wrote Smirnova on her Facebook page.
Meanwhile, reports of similar enrichment schemes at the expense of children began to come from other regions of Kazakhstan. For example, a post appeared on one Kazakh blog platform that the mayor’s office of Nur-Sultan purchased 20,000 netbooks for educational institutions of the capital “from an unknown Chinese producer “Vovola” at a price of $ 405 per unit”, while on the market these netbooks cost $ 107-155.
“I cannot imagine how a child, who didn’t have computer at home, was happy to be told that he would be given, at least for a while, this dream. However, what many students received was not very similar to their expectations, because the adults decided to deceive the children, make money on the trouble and the children’s dream. When education leaders talk about upbringing, let them remember that better to do well than to say well. Children understand everything. And then there is no need to talk to them about patriotism and respect for adults. These are just insignificant words,” deputy Smirnova commented on this message.
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