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Shymkent has launched a groundbreaking digital initiative aimed at eradicating financial irregularities and systemic inefficiencies within its education sector. By integrating school finances and security systems into a unified digital platform، the city has exposed billions of tenge that were previously hidden through manual accounting practices.

Uncovering Hidden Funds

The automation of these systems alone has resulted in the recovery of 6.5 billion tenge for the city's budget – a sum equivalent to the cost of building a new، modern school. This significant saving highlights the scale of financial mismanagement that the new system is designed to prevent.

Enhanced Security and Real-Time Monitoring

Journalists were given a firsthand look at the enhanced security measures at Gymnasium No. 1، named after A.S. Pushkin. The school now features an 'interactive headquarters' with digital panels displaying real-time video feeds and the operational status of all auxiliary systems. This includes AI monitoring for unauthorized individuals in restricted areas and synchronized fire sensors، ensuring comprehensive oversight.

Addressing Director Concerns

Sarsen Kurbanbek، Deputy Mayor of Shymkent، explained that the initiative began after school principals reported being fined for non-compliance with camera system requirements. Previously، even when cameras were installed، network issues or lack of connectivity meant no evidence could be provided to authorities، forcing principals to seek loans or collect funds from parents and teachers.

Transition to a Service Model

This dependency on private companies managing the software led to escalating costs، with annual 'management rights' fees amounting to millions of tenge. Shymkent has now shifted to a service model where the infrastructure is managed by the Education Department، and contractors are fully responsible for connectivity and maintenance.

"We have put everything in order،" Kurbanbek stated. "Now، all school networks are conducted through closed channels. Previously، each school had 5-10 cameras؛ now، all video streams from corridors، classrooms، and sports halls are broadcast directly to the police. At Gymnasium No. 1، the number of cameras has increased from 20 to 180." Additionally، internet speeds in classrooms have dramatically improved، jumping from 5-10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.

Detecting Financial Misconduct

The new oversight system has also uncovered numerous financial discrepancies in preschool education. Automation has halted the misuse of millions of tenge and eliminated fictitious enrollments. Audits revealed funds allocated to children residing abroad or in other regions.

"We identified a situation where one child was registered in seven sports and creative clubs simultaneously according to documents،" Kurbanbek shared. "Now، all of this is consolidated into one system." The "Alakan Mektep" biometric system for monitoring school cafeteria meals ensures payments are made only upon a student's entry، preventing fraudulent claims. Integration with the "1C" system has also blocked over 700 million tenge in payments to non-existent individuals.

"We identified individuals registered as technical staff in several schools or receiving salaries in Shymkent while being abroad for months،" he added.

Ensuring Digital Sovereignty

The city has secured digital sovereignty by changing its management model. "Previously، we were dependent on private companies that could shut down the system at any time،" the deputy mayor explained. "Now، all databases and codes belong to the Education Department. We have moved to a service model، meaning the contractor is responsible for ensuring continuous operation، not just selling access to servers." Data is stored on secure servers accessible only to law enforcement، addressing privacy concerns.

AI to Prevent Bullying

Unlike older systems that only recorded data، the new AI-powered platform can proactively identify threats. Neural networks monitor critical areas، not just entry points، to detect potential dangers. "'Aiqyn' is not just video cameras؛ it's an integrated system based on artificial intelligence،" said Talant Baskenbaev، Director of 'Shymkenttranstelkom' JSC. "It helps solve bullying issues and prevent suicide attempts. Previously، there was no centralized platform؛ now، approximately 10،000 cameras compliant with the requirements of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan are integrated into one network."

The system prioritizes rapid response، with algorithms capable of identifying weapons or individuals on the wanted list. Information is instantly relayed to police control rooms، and the nearest of 360 patrol crews across Shymkent is dispatched to any incident.

Technological Breakthroughs

A significant technological advancement is the deep integration of various auxiliary systems، previously impossible due to conflicts between different suppliers' equipment. Video surveillance is now linked with fire alarms، creating a responsive safety mechanism. "We managed to integrate the video surveillance system with the fire alarm without purchasing additional equipment،" Baskenbaev noted. "If a fire sensor is triggered، cameras in that area activate، and all turnstiles in the school automatically unlock for safe evacuation."

'Karkyn' System for Financial Audits

While 'Aiqyn' acts as the city's eyes، the 'Karkyn' system، introduced at the gymnasium، serves as a powerful tool for financial auditing. This software links security، the educational process، and budget payments in real-time، eliminating manual changes to payrolls and blocking attempts at collusion with administration through objective control data.

Evgeny Shcherbatov، the project's methodologist، demonstrated how the school's entry terminal functions as a financial control tool. "The system currently includes 268 organizations and 35،000 employees،" he explained. "When a cleaner enters the school premises via the terminal، this information is instantly sent to the financial control system. Biometrics confirm the identity، and the '1C' system automatically starts recording work hours."

This transparency has identified educators with work indicators exceeding human capabilities. The integration of systems has exposed nearly 2 billion tenge in irregularities previously concealed by paper records. Shcherbatov highlighted cases of teachers with weekly workloads of 60-75 hours، noting that teaching hours constitute only 40% of a teacher's work time. "If these hours translate to a weekly workload، it implies a teacher would need to work 24 hours a day، without sleep or rest، for five days a week،" he stated، suggesting this points to either fraudulent payroll or extremely poor teaching quality.

The system's algorithms automatically halt payments for work not performed. For instance، bonuses for checking notebooks، previously overlooked، are now blocked at the code level. "The check is performed with maximum depth،" Shcherbatov added. "When attempting to assign a bonus for working with children with special educational needs، the system accesses each child's profile to verify medical documentation before accepting the report."

Digitalization has also revealed widespread cases of "double funding،" where over 800 children were registered simultaneously in kindergartens and extracurricular activities، as well as "virtual" students for whom funds were allocated while they resided abroad. "This integration، where a school entry terminal directly identifies payroll data for accounting، is unique in the country،" Shcherbatov concluded. "It's not total control، but effective use of budget funds. The city saves over 700 million tenge annually simply by blocking illegal bonuses and eliminating fictitious personnel records."

AI Enhances Classroom Transparency

The digitalization in Shymkent extends to classrooms، previously lacking oversight. Cameras in classrooms not only enhance security but also serve as a tool for accountability، eliminating negligence and misuse of work hours by staff. Kuanych Iskakوv، head of the Shymkent City Education Department، emphasized that classroom transparency is a key motivator for quality. "There were never cameras in classrooms before. This disciplines teachers، as they know they are being recorded. Previously، there were instances of teachers being on their phones or not conducting lessons؛ now، everyone strives to be present. Parents can rest assured that order is maintained behind every classroom door، prioritizing child safety." The AI system also acts as an impartial arbiter in conflict situations، distinguishing between normal play and actual aggression or bullying with 80-90% accuracy.

The Cost of Transparency

The implementation of digital mechanisms in Shymkent has yielded concrete results. In just four months، accurate attendance tracking in school cafeterias saved 600 million tenge. The total budget funds saved across the education sector، including kindergartens، reached 6.5 billion tenge – enough to build one modern school. While this transparency has faced resistance from those who benefited from the previous lack of oversight، the city administration emphasizes that the digital transformation is irreversible. The next phase involves extending this system to colleges in the city، implementing a 100% monitoring system.

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