As reported by the government press service, the ceremony took place at the Agency for Civil Service Affairs, chaired by the head of the agency, Darkhan Jazykbay.
"The 'School of Akims' is being implemented based on the Academy of Public Administration under the President, through its branches in regions and cities of national significance," the statement reads.
The training project includes 17 modules and 240 academic hours covering areas such as economics, public administration, budget planning, management of communal property, digitalization, risk management, entrepreneurship development, and investment attraction.
"The elections of rural akims since 2021 have ensured active citizen participation in local self-government and increased the accountability of akims. Since then, more than 2,500 rural akims have been elected. 60% of them were previously not akims and had not worked in public service. Some of them are business owners or party workers. This has significantly refreshed the body of akims. In 2023, pilot elections for akims of districts and cities of regional significance were held. A total of 45 akims were elected across all regions. Starting this year, all district akims will take office solely through direct elections. Therefore, I believe that the launch of the 'School of Akims' today is a timely and appropriate decision. The professional development program will provide a new impetus for the development of rural regions and improve the living standards of the population," said Kanat Bozumbaev in his welcoming speech.
Earlier, the head of state instructed at an expanded government meeting to launch a program for the comprehensive training of elected akims and leaders at various levels in collaboration with the Agency for Civil Service Affairs.