The event was attended by members of Board and Political Council of New Azerbaijan Party (NAP), representatives of the central apparatus of the Ministry of Education, heads of relevant structure divisions of the Ministry, deputies of Milli Majlis, rectors of universities, celebrated intellectuals; representatives of NGOs, and directors of general-education establishments directly subordinated to the Ministry of Education. Speaking at the opening of “round table” deputy chairman and executive secretary of NAP Ali Ahmedov noted the rapid development of Azerbaijan. According to him, reforms covering all areas of country life, renovation and modernization processes are considered as a basis for future development of Azerbaijan. He noted that it is planning to specify the main direction of development and forthcoming goals for the next years as a concept within the Executive Order of President Ilham Aliyev on the preparation of development concept ‘Azerbaijan – 2020’ issued last year. Noting the education occupies an important place in the development concept and significant works have been done to develop this field over the last years, A. Ahmedov underlined a concern about education is a priority of State and government policy. According to him, successes achieved in the education field have seriously changed the attitude of society towards education. He also noted a need in the current stage to determine the future goals of education and clearly express opinions concerning this issue. Stressing the attendance in the ‘round table’ of those, who are working for the education system and have made contributions to the development of education will be very useful, A. Ahmedov expressed his belief that the valuable opinions will be voiced during the discussions. Education Minister Misir Mardanov gave a presentation entitled “Future of national education: main goals and duties," noting thoughts of the founder of the modern state of Azerbaijan, nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev and President Ilham Aliyev about the importance of education and its leading role in the public life of society. He also touched upon stages of development of education in the country. Speaking on important achievements gained during the dynamic development of Azerbaijan over the 2003-2011 period, Minister Mardanov underlined more than 60 programs on social and economic development were passed, the level of poverty has reduced from 40 to 7.6%, and the unemployment rate has decreased to 5.4% by opening about 1 million new jobs. The Minister said that the practice to promote and implement the development strategy of education systems of countries for near and far perspective is widely used. He listed the main factors playing an important role in the development of education and compared relevant indicators of Azerbaijan with a number of foreign countries.  Noting the education is a motivating force of progress, the Minister stressed the important role of education in forming human capital and intellectual potential, preserving national and moral values, abolishing poverty and promoting social welfare, as well as in building legal community. He gave information on projects, which were the basis for reforms implemented in the education field, and touched upon the Innovative Education Project from the years 1999-2003, Education Sector Development Project from 2003-2008, and Second Education Sector Development Project from 2009-2014, which goal is to improve the training level at general-education establishments, the effectiveness of spending on the general-education field. Noting the existence of great care for the education field in the country, the Minister demonstrated the diagram indicating year-on-year growth of total spending and investments on the education from the state budget. Misir Mardanov gave information on works implemented on different stages of education, achieved results and forthcoming duties, overall, talked about measures taken to develop the education. Noting the support provided by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation for the education field, the Minister talked on works implemented by the support of Foundation over the last years. Discussions were held at the end of the presentation. Rector of Baku State University Abel Maharammov, correspondent member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science Asef Hajiyev, Rector of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Yusif Mammadov, Rector of Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University Gulchohra Mammadova, correspondent member of Azerbaijan National Academy of Science Salahaddin Khalilov, director of secondary school of Baku named after Zarifa Aliyeva Mahabbat Valiyeva and the vice-speaker of Milli Majlis Bahar Muradova made a speech highly praising the presentation given by the Minister. During the speech, they also expressed their views on discussed issue and made relevant suggestions.

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The main goal of the conference was to inform the international community on achievements of Uzbekistan in the education field gained over the years of independence, the role of State in training competitive, highly qualified personnel and specifying further perspectives of continuing education. The conference was attended by representatives from 40 countries, including ministries of education of some countries, the high authorized representative for the UN, heads of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.   The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Kerimov opened the conference with a speech that informed the conference attendees about achievements of the country in the education field, including results of state programs on reforms in this field.  Next, the President of Asian Development Bank Haruhiko Kuroda made a speech, as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan A. Aripov gave a presentation entitled “Reforms in the education system of Uzbekistan and its development.” Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Noeleen Heyzer, Rector of Westminster International University of Britain Geoffrey Petts, rector of Moscow State University named after M. Lomonosov Viktor Sadovnichy, President of Islamic Development Bank Ahmed Mohammed Ali, vice-rector of Webster University of USA, director of Centre for Business and Technology of University Nancy Hellerud, rector of Management Development Institute of Singapore Eric Kuan, rector of Hosei University of Japan Toshio Masuda, the World Bank director for cooperation with countries of Europe and Central Asia Theodore Ahlers and rector of Seoul National University Sing Hang Giang made a speech at the conference as well. Next, the conference has continued its work in 6 sections. Sections were devoted to the following themes: “School education as a basis for nurturing intellectually advanced generation”, “Vocational education and formation of a modern labor market”, “Priorities of higher-education development and its role in modernization of the country”, “Modern ICTs in the education process”, “Education and science – uninterrupted ties” and “Development of education and culture.” Speaking at the conference Education Minister Misir Mardanov gave information on the world practice for preparing development strategy of the education, a concept “Azerbaijan – 2020: a glance into the future” that developing in accordance with the Presidential order and education strategy, which is a part of the concept, as well as on reforms implemented in the education field over the last years and gained achievements.  During the conference, Education Minister Misir Mardanov met with Higher and Secondary Special Education Minister of Uzbekistan Bahodir Khodiyev, Minister of National Education Temir Shirinov, Minister of Education of Kyrgyzstan Nuriddin Saidov, rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy and others, and discussed issues relating the expansion of cooperation in the education field.  After the conference, the Minister has attended Cultural Centre of Azerbaijan named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent, become acquainted with Azeri History and Heydar Aliyev museums operated in the Centre.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov has congratulated teachers, who have won the right to participate in the next stages of the contest, and wished them every success. Noting the relevant contests have been held in the country for 5 years within the Executive Order of President Ilham Aliyev on ‘Establishing the ‘Best Comprehensive Secondary School’ and ‘Best Teacher’ awards’ of 4 September 2007, the Minister underlined the main goal of the Best Teacher contest that provided by material incentives is to identify the best teachers of the country. According to the Minister, 456 teachers submitted their document to the contest and 229 of them have won the right to participate in the II and III stages. Noting a majority of participants are primary school (67 teachers) and Azeri language and literature teachers (35 teachers), the Minister underlined relevant conditions will be created at schools, where exemplary lessons of contestants will be organized. The Minister gave information on procedure for specifying the theme to lessons noting that the lessons will be estimated on 12 criteria and teachers will be permitted to attend each other's lessons. In contrast to previous years, one Expert Commission was organized on subjects with more participants, and it is more useful method for transparent selection of teachers, the Minister has said.  He noted that all exemplary lessons will be filmed and the Expert Commission will estimate the participants after the analysis, as well as based on an adequate approach and results of collegial discussions. Any teacher who is dissatisfied with the assessment result has the right to submit a written application to the Ministry within 3 days. The Minister underlined the importance of preparing to this stage with sense of responsibility. According to him, after the second stage will be completed each teacher will present to the Organizing Committee 10-minute presentation about the main directions of its activity, achievements and proposals. The final marks of teachers will be determined based on the results of each stage.   During the meeting, the questions taken from the teachers were responded and an exchange of view on other issues was held.

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov welcomed the attendees and said that the Best Teacher contest has been held in the country for 5 years within the relevant decree of President Ilham Aliyev. Noting the important role of subject commissions consisted of experts in successful completion of the contest, the Minister stressed that, this year 456 teachers submitted a document to the Best Teacher contest and 229 of them have won the right to participate in the second stage. Talking about the classification of teachers on subjects, the Minister added that, just one expert commission for subjects with more participants was organized. According to him, the representative of the Ministry of Education will take part in each expert commission as an observer and organizational issues will be solved by them.   The Minister stressed the importance of written substantiation of marks that will be given by the commission on 12 criteria determined for the assessment of exemplary lessons. He said that all lessons will be filmed and the Expert Commission will estimate the participants after the analysis, as well as based on an adequate approach and results of collegial discussions. Any teacher who is dissatisfied with the assessment result has the right to submit a written application to the Ministry within 3 days. The Minister added that, the discussion of the lesson will be only held with participation of the teacher. Noting the schedule of lessons of teachers participated in the contest has been developed the Minister added that lessons will be organized at 21 secondary schools of Baku. According to him, the management of these schools was given necessary instructions to implement relevant organizational works.  Misir Mardanov stressed the principles of impartiality and fairness of each person participated in the organization of the contest, which serves to identify talented teachers and advanced pedagogical practice, should be accepted as a major factor. At the end, the Minister wished success to experts that will estimate the lessons of teachers and gave them its relevant advice. 

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The event was attended by state and government officials, deputies of Milli Majlis, educators and intellectuals. At first, pupils of Art Gymnasium operated under the Azerbaijan National Conservatoire have presented a literary and art composition devoted to the Khojaly tragedy. According to the action plan of the Ministry of Education, exhibitions of more than 10000 works of art dedicated to the Khojaly genocide were organized in districts and cities of the Republic. More than 1200 works of pupils of secondary schools and vocational lyceums of over 60 districts and cities were submitted to the Republican phase of the exhibition jointly organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Ministry of Education. Speaking at the opening of the exhibition, Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the exhibition aims to provide the youth with comprehensive information on the Khojaly genocide, one of the most horrible and tragic pages in the history of the world and Azerbaijan, strengthen pupil’s sense of love for the Homeland. The Minister underlined the Khojaly massacre is annually marked at all education institutions and each year hundreds of thousands of pupils have taken part in these events. According to him, 100 art works that will be announced the winner of the republican phase will be demonstrated in the exhibition to be held in Moscow due to the 20th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide organized by the initiative of the First vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva.   Education Minister said the exhibition was organized on 6-10, 11-14 and 15-18 age groups. Noting the importance of wide-ranging events conducting under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the Minister highly praised the reflection of those terrible events on the mind of children born after the Khojaly tragedy. Talking about the horrors of the Khojaly genocide, Education Minister said that 613 civilians, including 63 children, 106 women, 70 elderly people were killed under torture during the tragedy committed with special brutality in Khojaly over the night from 25-26 February 1992 by the Armenian armed forces with the support of the infantry guards regiment No. 366 of the former soviet army. 487 people, including 76 children were heavily injured, 1275 children, women and elderly people captured, 8 families were completely destroyed, 25 children lost both parents, 130 one of them.   M.Mardanov stressed that only after national leader Heydar Aliyev returned to the power, the Khojaly genocide received its political and legal assessment. The Minister of Education expressed confidence that our occupied lands will soon be released on the basis of international law as result of the purposeful policy of President Ilham Aliyev and perpetrators of the Khojaly genocide will be punished. Next, Head of Khojaly District Executive Power Shahmar Usubov and MP Bakhtiyar Aliyev made a speech noting our people always honor this bloody tragedy and necessary steps have been taken to get the Khojaly genocide recognized at a global level, as well as a series of events were conducted in a number of countries in regards to the anniversary of the tragedy. At the end, participants became familiar with the exhibition “Children and war” devoted to the 20th anniversary of Khojaly genocide.

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1300 queries were received by phone, 141by e-mail. All of them were recorded, registered, investigated and responded. The majority of them are inquiries and information about the test exams at IX and XI classes of secondary schools, teachers’ recruitment, organization of education of children in need of special care, study abroad, recognition of education documents, transfer of students studying abroad to universities of Azerbaijan, application of per capita funding mechanism at education establishments, assessment of student knowledge via credit system at private institutions, forms for the organization of session exams at higher and secondary special education institutions, rules for providing students studying based on public expenditure with scholarship, school uniform, provision of teachers with teaching load, counting the salaries of teachers, issuance of education documents, etc. There were a total of 71 enquiries received by the Service. They were about problems existing at general, vocational, secondary special and higher education establishments.  The Service received a total of 39 enquiries concerning general and pre-school education establishments. Thus, last month the Hotline received 14 enquiries from Baku, 3 from Ganja, 1 from Sumgayit, as well as 2 enquires from each – Absheron, Agdam, Jalilabad, Agjabedy, Sheky, and one enquire from Goygol, Shamkir, Yardimli, Lankaran, Samukh, Shamakhi, Imishli, Tovuz, Bilasuvar, Barda districts. The most enquiries were about problems with heating systems, raising money to buy technical equipment and other issues.  The calls received by the Service and concerning with the execution of the order of the Ministry of Education on ‘Organization and conduction of winter exam session of 2011/12 academic year at higher and secondary special education institutions’ were promptly investigated. This help to implement relevant measures to ensure the transparent and impartial assessment of student knowledge and eliminate negative cases.   The Service received over 200 enquiries during the winter exam session from higher and secondary special education establishments in the 2011/2012 academic year. 22 out of 32 calls about complaints and eliminations were received from public, 4 from private universities, and 6 from secondary special education institutions.   The inquires received from universities were about the conduction of semester examinations in writing and test form, the application of the Bologna system, organization of educational and work experience, study at Master's level, payment of fees, rules of granting scholarships to students at private education institutions, etc. The queries received from Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Economic University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan Institute of Teachers, Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, Sumgait State University and other universities were mostly complaints of students about their assessment results, where they are asking to assist to raise their assessments through the appeal process. Employees of the Ministry of Education jointly with the NGOs have monitored universities from which the queries were received and provided the objective assessment of knowledge of these students based on their exams results. There were received queries from private universities - Tafakkur University and Baku Asian University. These queries were also investigated with the complainant's participation. The Service received queries from secondary special education institution as well, including Azerbaijan Financial Economic College, Baku State Social Economic College, Technical College of Baku, Agjabedi Pedagogical College, and Baku Basic Medical School No.2. The queries were mostly about dissatisfaction with assessments in examinations. The relevant investigation was held at these colleges and complainants were informed about it results. All structure unites were informed on results of investigations held based on the queries, and they were also recommended to eliminate these shortcomings in the future. Information and comments on queries received and investigated by the Hotline Service in January were brought to public attention through the media, such as ‘News’ programme of AZTV (11.01.2012), Azerbaijan State Radio (09.02.2012), Radio Azadliq (03.02.2012), Kaspi, Uch Nogte and Merkez newspapers, etc. 

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Speaking at the opening of the ceremony Education Minister Misir Mardanov stressed its importance. Noting the event is held in the country for the first time, the Minister stressed its main goal is to give an opportunity to high school students to present their scientific achievements, and that 5 of them will be selected and sent to the International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) that performed annually in the USA. He expressed his hope that Azeri students will perform successfully at this prestigious competition.   Noting the progress of each country depends on its scientific and educational development, the Minister stressed the existence of strong scientific potential in Azerbaijan. According to him, the care for the development of science and education, as well as for youth is a priority of the State policy and President Ilham Aliyev always pays a special attention to these issues. The Minister shared his views on the ISEF competition noting the number of participating countries in 2011 has reached 65.  Misir Mardanov said that the goal of reforms implemented in the education field of the country as well as curriculum applying at general education establishments is to nurture young people with a broad outlook on life. Moreover, wide opportunities were created for students to conduct research and use new information technologies. The Minister noted Small Academies operating at some secondary schools of the country are attracted students to research and directed them to new scientific researches.  The Minister gave information on the contest “Scientists of Tomorrow” noting students in grades 9-12 of secondary schools operated in Baku and Sumgayit have submitted to the contest their projects. He added that the contest is scientifically supported by Baku State University and Sumgayit State University and professors of these universities are paying a special attention to create scientific communication environment for future scientists, and an opportunity to use latest equipments at laboratories of universities and conduct joint researches with research supervisors.  According to the Minister 18 out of 47 projects submitted to the contest are prepared collectively and 29 of them individually. The projects of students will be assessed in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and health, ecology, engineering, computer sciences categories. The contest accepts projects, which are demonstrating new scientific idea, technical description of experiment and engineer’s project, and were prepared through innovative computer software.   Next, the Minister of Youth and Sport Azad Rahimov, executive director of Madad organization Vusal Khanlarov, Intel CIS Corporate Affairs Manager Tatiana Nanaeva and others made a speech noting measures implemented in the country over the last years to ensure the full assimilation of knowledge of young people and identify their academic potential. It should be noted that, an awarding ceremony of winners, who will be handed over cash prizes, diplomas and medals, will be held on February 24, and 5 students selected by the Jury, will be entitled to participate in the competition Intel ISEF that will be held in Pittsburgh, the USA, in May of 2012.

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On March 2-5, at Russian Information and Cultural Centre in Baku took place the IV Olympiad held in Russian language and literature subject and devoted to the Year of Russian History. The Olympiad is jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Embassy of the Russian Federation to Azerbaijan within the “Intensive Russian language teaching” project. Pupils of VI classes of Baku and Sumgayit participated in the Olympiad in the first day and VII classes in the following days. The opening ceremony of the Olympiad was held on 29 February and attended by Director of Russian Information and Cultural Centre, employees of the Ministry of Education, and UN office in Azerbaijan. They made a speech in the event and wished the pupils every success.   Next, schoolchildren performed songs and poems. The next stage of the Olympiad will be held on 13-15 March and 2-4 April 2012.

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24 children aged 10-17 were adopted over the last two years. Nine boarding schools were converted to the general education establishment, lyceum and gymnasium. The daily care, rehabilitation and development centers were established in Sabunchu, Khazar and Surakhani districts of Baku. Moreover, 2 rehabilitation centers were given under the authority of the Ministry of Education by the relevant order of the Cabinet of Ministries. There were conducted measures to assess each child attracted to the alternative services at rehab centers, prepare an individual training plan and monitor the quality of rehabilitation works. The establishment of alternative care centers under the Ministry of Education prevented 298 children from falling into the state-owned child institutions.     Since 2010/2011 academic year, the social work course has opened at Baku Skill improvement and Retraining Institute of Pedagogical Cadres to train social workers providing support services for children and families by changing the specialty of personnel of state-owned child institutions. 32 teachers were attracted to this course over the last two years. As a result of preventive measures carried out among children and families at risk, prompt solutions to problems, implementation of strict control over the acceptance of children to the relevant establishments, overall, 465 children were prevented from falling into the state-owned child institutions. Moreover, the number of children living in the state-owned child institutions has decreased from 14 389 children in 2008 to 9776 children in 2011. Family-based small group home was constructed to provide 10 children, whose adoption is impossible, with a family environment. Moreover, there was provided a detailed analysis of relevant legislation base on protection of children and some appropriate normative-legal documents were approved and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministries. 

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov expressed his pleasure at seeing the guests at the Ministry of Education. Noting the IB programme is implemented at the School-Lyceum No.6, the Minister stressed his readiness to provide necessary assistance to this work as needed. He said that the IB programme has been implemented at 3 private education institutions of the country and the School No.6 is the first state-owned education establishment where the programme is being carried out. Moreover, the Minister underlined the importance of programme and expressed his assurance that the relevant work will be successfully implemented. He wished the programme managers every success with their activity in Azerbaijan. Ake Sorman, Development and Recognition Manager of IBO regional office for Africa, Europe and Middle East, has thanked the Minister for the warm welcome and his support to the program. He highly praised the participation of School No.6 in the IB Diploma programme and expressed his belief that success will be achieved at the end of the program. Mr. Sorman gave information on the goal and priorities of programme noting that each of the three stages of the programme (PYP - Primary Years programme, MYP – Middle Years programme, DP – Diploma programme for Grades 10-11) is offered. The guest suggested establishing a joint working group to support the execution of the IB Diploma programme and noted that it will have positive impact on the implementation process. Education Minister Misir Mardanov highly praised the suggestion of the guest and said that the creation of international education base at School No.6 will establish the basis to disseminate the programme to other schools. He also underlined the expediency of giving more detailed information regarding done works to the public. Next, the sides have discussed the issues, such as the compliance of IB Diploma programme with subject curriculum of comprehensive schools, ability of teachers to work with the mentioned programme, etc. The meeting was attended by the director of School-Lyceum No.6 Gulshan Orujova and school programme coordinator Elshan Musayev.

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