Mr Nikolayev reported that the number of children in the region is increasing every year. Five years ago, there were 32,000 students in Yakutia; now there are 42,000. The public-private partnership programme launched in 2015 is being completed in Yakutsk. In late 2018 or early 2019, 12 social facilities will open, including four large schools, five large kindergartens and three cultural venues, including a modern arts centre, a city library and a children’s art centre. The schools will provide higher capacity with 1,620 new openings. However, the shortage of space remains acute.
The Acting Head of the Republic further said that there are three buildings in Yakutsk that can be used as schools after minimal renovation, which would increase capacity by about 1,000. Purchasing these buildings would require around 600 million rubles. Mr Nikolayev noted that, unfortunately, the republic has a significant budget deficit this year and there are not enough funds. He asked the President to instruct the Government to assist the republic on co-financing terms.
Vladimir Putin promised to give corresponding instructions to the Government.