Ministry of Education sums up 2017 results

On June 21, the Ministry of Education held an event to summarize the results of its work carried out in 2017.

Participants in the event included deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, head of the Humanitarian Issues Department of the Presidential Administration Farah Aliyeva, heads of public bodies, members of parliament, rectors of higher schools, media captains and representatives of NGOs.

Department head at the Ministry of Education Emin Amrullayev highlighted the achievements made in increasing quality of education and enrolment.

Minister of Education Jeyhun Bayramov made a presentation on “Education system – tasks and goals”. Describing the development of education as a crucial factor in the country`s prosperity, the minister spoke of the tasks and goals set by the country`s leadership in this regard.

Jeyhun Bayramov said there has been positive dynamics in the education sector after the adoption of the “State Strategy for the Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan”. He said major achievements have been made in a number of areas in the past five years. The minister said these achievements have led to an increase in enrollment, improvement of the quality of education and equal opportunities, adding that this lays the foundation for a strong economy and high standard of living.

The minister said it is planned to increase preschool enrollment level to 90 percent by 2020. Jeyhun Bayramov noted that another goal is to improve quality, adding several projects have already been implemented in this regard.

Jeyhun Bayramov highlighted a new model of entrance exams, pointing out close cooperation with the State Examination Center on this issue.

The minister drew the audience`s attention to amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Education”, underlining two major innovations in enrollment to higher education institutions. “According to these changes, applicants who completed internationally accredited education programs can be admitted to higher education institutions in any specialties in the language of their study without passing exams (subject to certain conditions), winners of international subject Olympiads can be admitted in any specialties, winners of national subject Olympiads, high-profile international contests and competitions can be admitted in appropriate specialties.

Jeyhun Bayramov said measures will be continued to increase prestige of the teaching profession, emphasizing the significance of applying certification mechanism in terms of achieving quality in education.

President of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Akif Alizade hailed the Ministry of Education`s report. He expressed his confidence that the event, which has already been held for three years, will grow into a tradition. Akif Alizade said reforms carried out in the education sector in the past five years already yield fruits, noting that the reforms to be conducted in the next five years should be more diversified.

Saying that integration of science and education contributes to making important achievements, the president of ANAS highlighted what has been done in this regard and future tasks.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov said deep reforms are conducted in Azerbaijan, adding that innovations applied in the education sector reached a qualitatively new level. Recalling the Azerbaijani President`s declaring this area as a key priority, Ali Ahmadov expressed his confidence in the country`s bright future. The deputy prime minister said it is important to maintain the success of the works in the education sector, adding that tasks in this area are completely obvious.

Ali Ahmadov said the development of education should contribute to increasing the Azerbaijani society`s cultural level, developing economy and making the state more powerful.

The event featured the screening of “Tahsil” television`s promotional film on the measures taken and innovations introduced in the field of education in 2017.