Having warmly welcomed the guest, Education Minister expressed his satisfaction at seeing him at the Ministry. Talking about relations existing between Azerbaijan and South Korea the Minister underlined the importance of cooperation established in the education field. The Minister said that works done within the Establishment of Vocational Training Centre on Advanced Technologies Project implemented in the frame of a memorandum signed between the South Korean Daewoo Company and Ministry of Education enter final stage. Mr. Mardanov underlined the role of Vocational Training Centre in organizing the vocational education system of Azerbaijan in a modern level and providing industrial establishments with qualified personnel. According to him, this field is one of the priority areas of the country. He noted the importance of the project and expressed his gratitude for the work implemented in the relevant field. Director of Southwest Asia Team of Export-Import Bank of Korea Jung-soo Jun thanked the Minister for the warm reception, as well as for his interest in this project. He noted that experts from Korea have visited Azerbaijan several times to analyse comprehensively the education complex that will be built. He said that they are planning to hold meetings with relevant bodies within the realization of the project, and also touched upon issues on the agreement that will be signed. Moreover, he expressed their willingness to render the necessary help within the project. At the end, Minister Mardanov noted the importance of successful implementation of the project, and thanked the guest for support. At the meeting, the parties have underlined that the realization of the project will create a fruitful ground for development of cooperation between two countries, as well as they noted the importance of agreement that will be signed within the relevant project.

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Having welcomed participants, Education Minister Misir Mardanov spoke about the importance of the 18th Session of the International Bioethics Committee of UNESCO (IBC) recently held in Baku. He stressed that the 18th Session of IBC was held in Baku by the initiative of Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation, MP Mehriban Aliyeva.   The Minister talked about issues discussed at the meeting held at the Ministry of Education with Ms. Pilar Alvarez-Laso, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, and underlined that there were held discussions with management of Human Rights Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and its employees for teaching bioethics in Azerbaijan as well. According to him, due to the importance of bioethics in teaching of medicine and social – humanity sciences they are planning to establish appropriate departments at some universities and approve the bioethics as a new subject at a doctoral level. Vugar Mammadov, Assistant – Director of Human Rights Institute of ANAS for Scientific works, Head of Azerbaijani Bureau of Bioethics Committee of UNESCO gave a presentation on the theme of “Bioethics and Human Rights: new ethical challenges.” He noted that bioethics is a science on the moral part of activity of the human in medicine, biology and use of new technologies. Telling that UNESCO has implemented Bioethics Program since 1993, he gave information on activities and duties of Bioethics Committee of UNESCO. He also talked about main principles of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. According to him, the bioethics is becoming more actual in Azerbaijan in terms of rapid economic grow of the country, its turning into a leading country in the region and widening use of new technologies. He also gave information on works done in Azerbaijan in the bioethics field. Mr. Mammadov noted that they are planning to publish teaching materials on Bioethics in Azerbaijani, and touched on other issues on ethical challenges and research fields. Further, have been given answers to questions of participants, and exchanged of views on some issues. Director of Human Rights Institute of ANAS, MP Ayten Mustafayeva has thanked the Minister for the organization of the event. Having estimated the bioethics as one of the parts of human rights, she underlined the interest of the country in this field. Expressing her views on modified food products, medical law and bioethics (transplantation) she underlined the importance of using a modern world practice in this field. Senior teacher of Azerbaijan Medical University Aida Bandaliyeva, Assistant Professor of Azerbaijan Medical University Gulnara Safarova and Professor of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University Adalat Farajov have talked about teaching of bioethics at universities. According to them, it will have a positive impact on training of specialists for different specialties. Noting the presentation and views expressed by participants was very stimulating Education Minister Misir Mardanov underlined the need for taken measures to implement in the bioethics field. According to him, a development program should be prepared, and the teaching of bioethics at universities further could encompass all systems of education. He gave relevant instructions on extra training of specialists who will teach the bioethics, and talked about works that will be implemented until the next study year.

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Now users can see, turn over, read page by page and zoom into the text the Azerbaijan Muallimi newspaper by entering the website http://www.muallim.edu.az. The new electronic version prepared by programmers of the Ministry of Education makes possible to become fully familiar with information given in the newspaper, see and read all articles and documents. On the website of the newspaper materials are placed on sections, so there a need to search these materials one-by-one. However, all pages in the virtual newspaper are in the front of the eye.  New virtual newspaper was prepared based on “Electron Azerbaijan” State Program and Presidential Order on “Some measures for the organization of e-services provided by state bodies” and as part of measures implemented by the Ministry of Education. The Azerbaijan Muallimi newspaper is the first newspaper in the press history of Azerbaijan which has implemented this innovation. It will increase opportunities to receive easy information by wide range of readers of the newspaper, thousands of educators, pupils and students, and serve to inform the community on reforms implemented in the education field and achieved successes.  

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The meeting was attended by Head of Apparatus, directors of departments of the Ministry of Education, Director of Baku city Education Department Naila Rzaguliyeva and executive director of Azerbaijan National Parent and Teacher Association Tarana Sharifova. Speaking at the opening, Education Minister Misir Mardanov underlined the importance of periodic meetings held by him with members of PTA. He said that, the main goal of reforms implemented in the education field of the country, as well as people, who work for this field, is to improve the quality of education. Stressing, in this context, the importance of building relationships between schools and parents, the Minister talked about steps taken in the relevant area in recent years, as well as study and application of the world best practices. Mr. Mardanov stressed that currently at 1480 schools out of 4500 are operating Parent and Teacher Associations. He expressed his regret over the overt intervention of school principals of some schools in the work of PTAs. He said that, the main goal of PTAs is to promote a close cooperation between parents and the school, provide assistance to schools in selection of teachers, distribution of lessons, preparation of timetables, and admission of pupils to schools. Further, he expressed his views on proposals put forward by parents and generalized by the National PTA on final exams held at IX and XI classes. He stressed the problems raised by these issues should be solved. Moreover, Mr. Mardanov put forward a proposal to involve members of PTAs in final exams as supervisor, and instructed the relevant department of the Ministry to cooperate with the National PTA in this direction.. Minister of Education regarded the activity of PTA’s at some schools as satisfactory. He gave information on rewarding a group of parents and teachers, active members of the PTAs with honor diplomas and breast badges “Best Worker of Education” of the Ministry. After, the Minister announced the name of rewarding individuals and presented them with awards. Speaking at the meeting Executive Director of Azerbaijan National Parent and Teacher Association Tarana Sharifova thanked the Minister for taking the time to meet with parents. She said that parents, members of PTAs, are taking part in the final examinations at secondary schools for the second year, and welcomed it in terms of holding an exam in an impartial manner, as well as developing a responsible approach of managers and supervisors to the exam process. The president of PTA of the Lyceum “Zengi” Vugar Rahimzadeh, a member of PTA of the school #18 of Baku Elkhan Gasimov, president of PTA of the school #190 Alakbar Mammadov and others made a speech at the event assessing highly the importance of such meetings. At speeches were marked works done by PTAs, as well as made suggestions and recommendations.

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Having welcomed the participants, Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the 2010/2011 study year have successfully completed. He expressed his satisfaction with the activity of lyceums and gymnasiums subordinated to the Ministry, and hoped that pupils of these establishments will show high results at final exams. The Minister informed that secondary education establishments of the Ministry are taken an active part in the Best Teacher and Best School competitions. Speaking on results of teachers of these schools at the Best Teacher competition the Minister said that achieved successes are the obvious example of the quality of teaching at these schools. Noting a special care provided by the President Ilham Aliyev for the development of education of the country, the Minister underlined that over last years, constant measures were implemented to build a work of schools in a modern demands level. He stressed the necessity to cover all needs of secondary education establishments of the Ministry, and gave relevant instructions. Talking on other issues to organize the activity of educational establishments efficiently, the Minister expressed his views on the admission of pupils to the first classes, transference of senior pupils, teacher – pupil ratio, and density of pupils at classes. Further, directors of lyceums and gymnasiums gave information on current situation at education establishments, and forthcoming works. Moreover, there were held discussions on corresponding issues, made some suggestions and recoomendations.

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Having welcomed an event participants, Education Minister Misir Mardanov, noted the close co-operation established between the Ministry of Education and British Council. He gave information on successful implementation of joint projects, as well as works done within the co-operation. Talking about the Intensive English Language Training Project the Minister underlined that the main goals of the project are to create a contemporary system reflecting recent advances in the training field for improvement and extension of skills of English language teachers, and use interactive training methods and new educational technologies in English language training.  Moreover, the Minister informed that in 2003, the Azerbaijan English Language Teachers Association (AzETA) was created on the initiative of British Council. The organization has a head office in Baku and 8 branches in regions. Noting the importance of improving foreign language teaching to integrate Azerbaijan into the world community, and expand international co-operation, the Minister underlined positive results from the use of methods successfully implemented in the international practice. He also touched upon problems existing in the foreign language teaching fields of schools, and works implemented to resolve these problems. Moreover, he noted the Intensive English Language Training Project has implemented at 7 pilot schools of Baku since 2008/2009 academic year.     Having stressed that the project encompassed 189 classes and 5352 pupils, the Minister gave information on new training plans, programs and textbooks for intensive English language training. According to him, 120 teachers from 7 pilot schools took part and increased their level of professionalism and methodical skills in the training courses provided by the trainers of the British Council. He emphasized a need to improve the quality of English language teaching at all schools. Noting, from this viewpoint, the number of schools with intensive English language teaching will be increased to 20 in the next academic year, Mr. Mardanov, touched upon future challenges and made some proposals and recommendations.  Paul Clementson, Country Director of the British Council, thanked the Minister for the successful implementation of Intensive English Language Training Project. Noting they attach a particular importance to the co-operation with the Ministry of Education, Mr. Clementson talked on key targets of British Council and underlined that joint projects will contribute to the development of relations between our countries. Talking about the importance of learning English to succeed in the international arena, and a sharp rise in the number of people who speak in English, Mr. Clementson underlined that works done in this direction have yielded positive results in Azerbaijan as well.  Programmer manager of British Council Gulshan Huseynova gave information on measures implemented within the Intensive English Language Training Project and listed facts on results of works done in the frame of the project. According to her, along with national textbooks, there have been used textbook sets (student book, workbook, teachers manual with audio CD and didactic materials) published by Cambridge University which are acceptable for Azerbaijan as well. Moreover, G. Huseynova informed that last year, lessons of 85 teachers of I and VII classes of pilot schools were observed by the employees of the British Council. Noting in 2011 the top 4 trainers of the project took part in intensive training at the University of Warwick, she gave information on final results for overall monitoring of the project. G. Huseynova compared the amount of time spent on English teaching in Azerbaijan with the corresponding figures in other countries, and brought forward a number of proposals to improve the efficiency of the project.

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Graduates, who were not able to receive a document on complete secondary education over the past years, are undertaken the exam at 4 exam centers. According to the rules, 120 questions should be answered within 3 hours on complete secondary education level. The total number of questions at the final examination of XI classes has remained unchanged, but there were some changes on different subjects. Thus, the number of questions in mother tongue and mathematic has decreased from 25 to 21, in natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, and geography) has increased from 10 to 12 questions. The number of questions on history and foreign language subjects (15) has remained unchanged. The test book that will be used in final exams was prepared in 18 variants, which means that each pupil at class will receive one variant. On June 18, at IX classes of Baku will be held centralized final examination for general secondary education level. 35026 pupils will undertake an exam at 75 exam centers. They should answer to 50 questions in mother tongue and mathematic subjects (each contains 25 questions) within 90 minutes. The test book that will be used in final exams was prepared in 12 copies. Pupil answering correctly from 20 to 50 per cent of questions from each subject will receive “3”, from 50 to 80 % - “4” and more than 80% - “5.”

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov sincerely welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction at seeing them in Azerbaijan. Talking about friendship between the people of Azerbaijan and Georgia and relations between the two countries the Minister touched upon developed directions of existing cooperation. Education Minister has raised an issue regarding the preparation of textbooks in Azeri for Azerbaijani schools operating in Georgia and suggested that the Azerbaijani experts may take a close part in this work. Moreover, Mr. Mardanov noted the need to render a necessary help to refurbish and construct Azerbaijani schools in Georgia.  The Minister offered to guests to visit some education establishments and underlined the importance of being familiar with the education system of Azerbaijan. Minister for Education and Science of the Republic of Georgia Dimitri Shashkin has thanked the Minister for the warm reception. Talking about friendship and cooperation existing between the two countries the guest touched upon works implemented to develop the material and technical base of Azerbaijani schools in Georgia. He said that they are planning to prepare Azeri textbooks for I-VI classes in this academic year, and for VII – XI classes in the next year. The guest gave information on conditions created for Azerbaijani graduates to study at universities of Georgia, on defined quotas and privileges. Mr. Shashkin also talked about the education system of Georgia, and reforms implemented to develop the secondary education system.   At the meeting the parties exchanged views on provision of ICT in Azerbaijani schools of Georgia, conduction of joint subject Olympiads, teaching of Georgian in Azerbaijan, and Azeri in Georgia, as well as other issues.  Education Minister Misir Mardanov put forward an idea to prepare a joint publication of book on learning of Azerbaijani history and geography in Georgia, and Georgian history and geography in Azerbaijan, as well as torganize facultative courses at secondary schools.  Mr. Shashkin expressed his readiness to take necessary measures within this issue, and noted that in this connection they will establish a commission. The ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Georgia to Azerbaijan Teymuraz Sharashenidze also attended the meeting. 

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At first, there were demonstrated a film about the organization and conduction of “E- education” contest. The contest held on the initiative of the Ministry of Education was started on April 11. It is conducted within the State Program for Informatization of Education System in 2008-2012, and supported by Microsoft Azerbaijan, Education for the Future program of Intel Corporation, Azerfon-Vodafone, AZEDUNET, Ultra, HP and Madad. The contest is held in 2 directions: “Electronic educational resources” and “Internet technologies in the education.” The main goals of the contest are to make the use of electronic educational resources and internet technologies popular, inform the educational community about this, reveal new forms of Internet use in the education, and encourage teachers actively using IT. Speaking at an event Education Minister Misir Mardanov thanked all organizations and companies that took a close part in the organization of this event on behalf of the education society of Azerbaijan. Noting a series of events are conducted in the field of ICT, Education Minister Misir Mardanov underlined this event as one of the most important of them. He emphasized the importance of the contest and gave information on its rules. According to him, 601 pupils took part in the contest held in 5 categories, and 98 of presented projects were selected. At the end, Mr. Mardanov congratulated the winners and wished them every success in the future. According to the Director of Institute for Information Technologies of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences Rasim Aliguliyev one of the pillars for creating the information society in the country is an informatisation of the education. He explained his views with concrete examples, noted positive aspects of the informatization of education, and stressed that this process is one of the challenging demands of modern society. Further, the winners were awarded with diplomas, notebooks, netbooks, and other special prizes.

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1922 queries were received by phone, 180 by e-mail. A majority of them (1875) are inquiries and reports, 227 are complaints. The Service received more complaints from schools, some from pre-school, higher and secondary special, out –of-school and vocational education establishments. Enquires were relating to national and international Olympiads, study abroad, additional education, new assessment system at graduation classes of secondary schools, and higher and secondary special education system, reception of education documents, nostrification, organization, conduction and learning of final exam results, reception of teachers for vacant teaching posts at schools through competition, admission of pupils to the first classes of the next academic year, and norms for teaching load of teachers. All queries were recorded and answered by employees of the Hotline Service. Last month from schools of Baku were received 66, from Sumgayit 8, Ganja - 2, Mingachevir - 1, Absheron - 12, Fizuli - 6, Goranboy, Gabala, Sheki and Lerik – 5, Gazakh, Tovuz, Gadabay and Zagatala - 4, Siyazan, Dashkesen, Tartar, Shamkir, Agjabedi, Ismayilli, Masalli, Yevlakh - 3 inquiries, and from Imishli, Khachmaz, Jalilabad, Kalbajar, Shamkir, Agjabedi, Bilasuvar, Zangilan, Yardimli, Khizi, Lachin and Gusar - 1 inquiry. A vast majority of queries received from schools were connected with shortcomings in management made by directors of schools, collection of school fund money, dissatisfaction with allocation of lessons, handing out leaflets on final exams, poor organization of training at some schools, illegal deduction of salaries, wrong calculating the holiday and delay in salaries.   During the investigation, incorrect names, surnames and phone numbers was revealed, and some facts mentioned in queries did not find their confirmation. 6 out of 12 queries received from pre-school establishments were from Baku, 2 from Sumgayit, 3 from Absheron and 1 from Shabran. The queries were connected with the admission of children to the kindergartens, the quality of food given to children, and transfer from one kindergarten to another, as well as other issues, which concern parents. One query was received from out-of –school education establishment in May. It was also investigated in a prescribed manner. The Hotline received 9 queries from vocational education establishments, and 3 from boarding schools. The delay of scholarships of students, admission of pupils, poor level of training at boarding schools, and other issues were reflected on them. The Service received 19 queries from State higher and secondary special education establishments, and 2 from private universities. Queries received from state universities were about the delay in granting education documents, as well as delay in delivering exam questions, reimbursement of tuition fee, delay in granting diplomas, and, etc. Two queries received from private universities were about demanding payment for diploma at University Odlar Yurdu.

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