The meeting was attended by deputy ministers, heads of relevant departments of the Ministry, directors of higher and secondary educational institutions, vocational and secondary schools, district and city departments of education, and representatives of non governmental organizations. Speaking at the meeting Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted at the meeting of Cabinet of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Republic devoted to the results of 2010, which was held under the chairmanship of Mr. President Ilham Aliyev, was discussed the corruption, and in this regard serious duties were raised before the state bodies. Stressing that the fight against corruption is one of the key priorities of the state policy of the Azerbaijan Republic, the Minister underlined the importance of legal documents adopted in this field in recent years. He also spoke about the activities jointly carried out with relevant bodies. Misir Mardanov noted works done within the National Strategy. According to him, since 2006 Working Group of the Ministry against corruption, which is consisting of representatives of NGO’s and Hot Line Service, has operated at the Ministry. He informed that in 2010, the Ministry received 51.552 letters, appeals, petitions and complaints from citizens and government bodies, as well as accepted 7.251 people. The Minister talked about statistical indicators for the number and topic of applications and complaints of citizens, and stressed the monitoring should be held in the regions to find out the situation related to the corruption. Stating that at the end of each year, reports of the central apparatus and departments of the Ministry are being considered, the Minister said that district and city departments of education, higher and secondary educational institutions should be involved in this process as well. He informed about application of the activity assessment system of the workers of the Ministry and district and city departments of education since 2008, and standards of ethical behavior were prepared and presented to all educational institutions. Moreover, the admission of teachers to work based on transparency and competition was received with satisfaction. The Minister informed that 288 teachers out of 1.815 who took part in the exams conducted by the computer to fill vacancies in secondary schools across the country for 2010-2011 school years were provided with work. Furthermore, there was created a new mechanism for the admission of directors to work.   The Minister noted the importance of improving the mechanism for conducting exams at educational institutions, increasing transparency and public control over the process. According to him, Hotline's service should be established at each educational institution. He informed that at all educational institutions were established Hotline Service to ensure the transparency of the exams. Moreover, Media, NGO, representatives of Foundation to Fight against Corruption, Transparency Azerbaijan Society, Center for Modern Education and Training Support, National Building Research Centre was involved in the exam process. The minister also said that in recent years exams were conducted in writing form and via the computer to prevent negative cases and ensure objectivity and transparency of the process. Talking on the cancellation of licenses of Baku branch of Moscow State Open University and Azerbaijan International University last year, Mr. Mardanov informed that students of these schools were transferred to other private universities. According to Minister the Ministry implemented regular works to identify negative cases, violations of law, and took disciplinary measures against responsible persons committed the violation. The Minister noted that last year 108 people, including 4 heads of district education departments, 72 principals, five deputy directors, one director of out-of-school institutions, six directors of professional schools, one university teacher, 10 directors of kindergartens, nine chief accountants were fired. Moreover, 41 people received the final warning, and 115 get a reprimand. Further, the minister spoke about the future responsibilities, noted the importance of improving the quality of education, protecting teachers and schools’ reputation.

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789 queries were received by telephone, 121 through an e-mail. All of them were investigated and responded. A majority of queries were connected with the admission of teachers to work, conducting the final exams in the IX and XI grades, organization of education for disabled children, benefits granted to the winners of International Olympiads, study abroad, recognition of educational documents, and etc.  9.6 per cent of queries were complaints. They were connected with pre-school, general, vocational and higher school problems. Complaints connected with schools were received from Baku (15), Naftalan (2) and Ganja (1) cities, Absheron (16), Jalilabad (3), Zagatala (2), Yevlakh (2), Goygol (2), Lerik (2), Sheki (1), Masalli (1), Yardimli (1), Agdash (1), Balaken (1), Saatli (1) districts. A vast majority of them were connected with problems such as lack of central heating at schools, collection of money for technical equipments of school, organization of different publication’s sale, and, etc. Queries received from Absheron were connected with the organization of uniforms’ sale. There were received two queries from vocational schools (Baku Vocational Lyceum No.2, and Ismailli Vocational Lyceum).    The inquiries received by the Service connected with the execution of Order of the Minister on Organization and Conduction of the winter exam session of 2010-2011 academic year at higher and secondary professional education establishments, were promptly considered. More than 100 queries received by the Service from these establishments were inquiring. 35 queries received from state (21), private (10) and secondary professional educational establishments (4) were about shortcomings. Queries received from universities were connected with the organization of term exams by test method, application of Bologna system, master education, tuition fee, and, etc. Students of Baku State University, Azerbaijan State Economic University, Azerbaijan Medical University, Azerbaijan Architecture and Construction University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Azerbaijan University of Languages, Sumgayit State University and other universities mostly complain about their assessment. Representatives of the Ministry jointly with the officials of the mentioned universities have investigated queries. 10 queries received from the private universities were about Baku Business University, Gafgaz University, and Azerbaijan International University, which activity was stopped. They were about a violation of procedures for the conduct of examinations, not granting the diploma to alumni, and, etc. All requests were investigated and responded.    Queries received from secondary professional institutions (Baku State Social-Economy College, Baku State Communication and Transport College, Agjabedi Pedagogical and Shirvan State Economic and Humanitarian College) were mainly connected with exam’s assessment. All queries were examined and their authors were informed about its result.

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Shortly the results of centralized test exams on the general secondary education level (IX grade) will be posted in this section. It should be noted that on February 12-13 in Baku were held centralized test exams on the general and complete secondary education level of 2010-2011 academic year. 26,730 students of classes XI passed the examinations in 72 centers, and 36,085 students of classes IX in 74 centers. Refugee pupils living in the city of Baku also took part in examinations held on February 12-13. Examination for students of XI grades lasted three hours, and for IX grades half an hour. There were applied a number of innovations at the test exams conducted in 2010-2011 academic year. Thus, the number of questions per subject was changed. The total number of questions on the Mother tongue and literature subject has been reduced from 25 to 21, on natural sciences was increased from  10 to 12. In addition, pupils was given a special pass sheet of the Ministry. Representatives of PTA as observers watched the exam at 67 centres of Baku. It should be noted that 137.523 pupils out of 236710 are pupils of IX grades, 94417 pupils in IX grades and 4770 pupils of vocational lyceums will take part in the centralised test and final exams in 2010-2011 academic year.  Test exams at other regions of the country will start on February 20.

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Having warmly welcomed the guest Education Minister talked about bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and the Netherlands, as well as prospect of expanding collaboration in the education field within these relations. The Minister noted the importance of various meetings, symposiums, scientists exchange to develop the cooperation in the education field, and underlined that the Embassy of the Netherlands could make contribution to this work.     The Ambassador has thanked the Minister for the warm reception and underlined the Kingdom of Netherlands attaches a great importance to the educational ties with Azerbaijan. Noting that his country extensively developed areas such as medicine, agriculture and business management, he made a proposal for cooperation in this field. The Ambassador emphasized the desirability of cooperation between universities of two countries in the research area and spoke about the work done by the Netherlands for the efective use of ICT in education. At the meeting, the sides talked about participation of the Netherlands in international exhibitions held in Azerbaijan in the education area, organization of mutual visits, and expressed belief in further strengthening bilateral relations.

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The event to open the course was attended by the representatives of British Council, management of Agcabedi district Education Department, director of school No.8 and other educators. The goal of the training course was to impart to teachers and pupils skills to use the websites of British Council www.teachingenglish.org.uk, www.learnenglish.org.uk and teach it by using samples. Books in English sent by the Embassy of Great Britain to Azerbaijan were presented to teachers. They will use these books to assist other teachers to derive advantage from books and relevant internet resources. Further, teachers will prepare interactive lesson samples. According to the results of the survey, the course was highly estimated by participants, and they expressed hope for the regular conduction of such courses. At the end teachers and pupils attended the course were given certificates.

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Speaking at the meeting chairpersons of the commission A. Babayev (Baku Business University), E. Huseynova (Azerbaijan National Conservatory) and B. Nasirov (Sheki Pedagogical College) noted the organization of training at these educational establishments based on academic programs and its adequacy to the demands of State Educational Standards have been analysed. Moreover, the knowledge level of last course students was checked to identify the quality of training. Chairpersons gave information on results of analysed reports and number of teaching staff. Furthermore, there were noted the highest and lowest quality indicators at the educational institutions, as well as recommendations and offers of the commission.    At the end, it was decided to accredit six specialties at the Baku Business University, 7 at Azerbaijan National Conservatory and 3 at Sheki Pedagogical College.    Further, there were held an exchange of views on discussed issues and answered to questions of attendees. 

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Speaking at the opening Sayavush Karimi, rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, informed that the first Mugham contest was held in 2009. According to him, 18 out of 40 singers of 18-35 year olds presented documents to take part in the contest have gained the right to participate in the contest. Sevda Mammadaliyeva, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, talked about works done to develop the art of Mugham in the Republic, as well as implemented projects. She noted the special role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the proclaiming the Mugham of Azerbaijan a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Speaking at the ceremony Deputy Education Minister Elmar Gasimov characterized holding the II Republican Mugham Contest, which is conducted by the initiative of Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP, and organized by Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Education Ministry, Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Azerbaijan National Conservatory, as a state care for popularizing Azerbaijani Mugham. He expressed assurance that talented youth will be revealed due to the contest. Mr. Gasimov noted the Azerbaijani Mugham becomes very famous in the world due to the appropriate projects implemented in recent years, and the contest contributes to the passing Mugham to the future generation. It was noted that three singers elected by the Jury, which consists of famous musicians, will represent our country at the II International Mugham Festival.

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The contest was conducted within the agreement signed between Education Ministry of Azerbaijan and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). About 100 documents were presented to take part in the contest, which will be held in the information technology, engineering, oil sector, medicine, mathematics, physics and biology, chemistry, ecology and agriculture fields. It should be noted that the interview with applicants will be held by the experts of DAAD on March 10-12.

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Having warmly welcomed the guests the Minister noted that the projects carried out in the country in the cooperation with the World Bank are successfully continued. He underlined the existence of relevant expert groups in the country to implement joint actions in the highest level and stressed that international experts also have positive views on innovations in the education of Azerbaijan. Minister of Education talked about results of reforms undertaken in the education field in recent years, and stressed the positive aspects of cooperation with the World Bank. According to the Minister, there were made a progress at all levels of the education due to the cooperation with the WB. He also stressed the importance of accelerating the implementation of envisaged projects in several directions. According to the Minister the development of education is a priority direction of the state policy and President Ilham Aliyev has always paid a great deal of attention to this area. According to him, more than 2000 new school buildings were built and repaired in the country in recent years, and their logistical support has been improved significantly. He also noted the work done within the framework of regulations and programs signed by the head of state for the development of education. The Minister expressed hope that cooperation with the World Bank will contribute to the further realization of planned projects. Head of the WB mission, Mark Blank thanked the Minister for detailed information on progress made in the education field. Guest highlighted the existence of fruitful relations between the World Bank and Ministry of Education, and noted that all projects implemented in the education sector have been successfully completed. Mark Blank expressed his belief in the implementation of other projects in the near future, and noted the bank's willingness to assist Azerbaijan within the mutual cooperation. Further, there was held a discussion of issues related to the further cooperation of the sides.

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Education Minister warmly greeted the guest and noted that relations between two countries have existed since Soviet period. According to him, the education area has always had a special place in these relations. The Minister noted the opening of the new embassy of Azerbaijan in Estonia will create a good condition for fruitful cooperation in the education area. Moreover, the cooperation agreement singed between Education Ministries of two countries opens a wide range of opportunities for bilateral relations. Noting the desirability of further development of the cooperation, Minister expressed confidence that the exchange between universities, as well as scientists and students will make a significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations. Further, the Minister talked about the study of Azeri youth in Estonia within the State program for study of Azerbaijani youth in abroad in 2007/2015. The minister also noted the importance of establishing positive relations between secondary schools of two countries. He also suggested to organize mutual trips of scientists and students, and held joint scientific symposiums and conferences. Education Minister extended condolences to the ambassador on the fire tragedy that happened recently in Estonia and caused the death of ten children. Aivo Orav, ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to Azerbaijan thanked the Minister for the warm reception and stressed that he will come to Baku very often due to the absence of the Embassy of Estonia in Baku.  He stressed that lots of students from Azerbaijan had studied at universities of Estonia in the Soviet period and underlined the importance of continuing this tradition. According to Mr. Orav Estonia has a perfect university system formed in the XVII century and universities of the country have accumulated rich experience in the staff training on information technology, engineering and medicine areas. He noted Estonia has achieved great results in the use of ICT in the education, and emphasized the desirability of cooperation in this field as well. The Ambassador expressed his solidarity with the Minister in developing cooperation between two countries. Further, the ambassador was informed on the education system of Azerbaijan, recent reforms implemented in this area, as well as works carried out in collaboration with the World Bank, and, etc.

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