Noting the modern world attaches a great importance to the requalification training courses, Education Minster Misir Mardanov talked about works implemented in this field in recent years. In his presentation on the theme of “Transition to the new requalification model” the Minister gave information about the legal and regulatory framework and positive features for the usage of modular credit system in the requalification training. Noting according to the new model the requalification training courses require the preparation of professional development programs based on 3 modules, Mr. Mardanov talked about modules’ elements. He drew attention to the advantages and different features of the new model. He talked about the progress achieved in the modular credit field over the last years marking the curriculum for requalification of general and initial vocational education teachers have being developed. According to the Minister, programs submitted to the Ministry within the modular credit system transition in the requalification field were selected through the competition.   Noting programs submitted by Azerbaijan Teachers Institute, Baku Institute for Requalification and Retraining of Pedagogical Personnel, Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and Centre for Continuing Education were divided into modules, the Minister noted the possibility of increasing the number of these institutions. According to him, submitted programs will be assessed based on the relevant assessment criteria. Moreover, the potential of institutions staff that will conduct the requalification training courses will be assessed as well. Minister Mardanov noted that the new requalification model was developed to improve knowledge, professional skills and world-view of teaching and other personnel of general and initial vocational education establishments by using more advanced methods. He also talked about other measures that will be taken for the application of new requalification model and expressed his hope that forthcoming challenges will be successfully implemented. At the end, different views regarding an issue were voiced at the meeting, made relevant suggestions and clarified questions. 

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Education Minister Misir Mardanov expressed his satisfaction with the meeting with the guests at the Ministry of Education. Noting the visit of delegation led by him to Switzerland in December of last year was successful, the Minister stressed that the meetings held during the visit were devoted to the expansion of educational cooperation between the two countries and the existence of efficient conditions for the development of relations. The Minister gave detailed information on the visit and underlined that his meeting with State Secretary for Education and Research was devoted to the establishment of relations between universities of both countries, increasing the number of Azeri students studying in Switzerland, the exchange of students, teachers and researchers, as well as establishment of relationship between general secondary and vocational education institutions. According to the Minister, the Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research was invited to pay a visit to Azerbaijan. Noting a delegation led by him became acquainted with a number of Swiss universities and schools, and held a meeting with Azeri students studying at universities of Switzerland, the Minister expressed his satisfaction with the visit. According to him, the visit will contribute to the development of bilateral relations in the education field. Noting the training within the International Baccalaureate Program has begun to be implemented at school-lyceum No.6, the Minister said that the work in this direction is carried out with the support of relevant structure operated in Bern and Swiss experts have visited Azerbaijan in this regard. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to Azerbaijan Sabine Ulmann Shaban thanked the Minister for warm welcome. She talked about the current relations existing between Switzerland and Azerbaijan, and underlined the need to expand cooperation in the education field. The guest also expressed her satisfaction with the successful visit of the Minister to her country. The Ambassador gave information on scholarship program for doctoral level studiesand stressed that Azeri students can benefit from the program. According to her, they are planning to organize meetings at universities of Azerbaijan to give students information on the relevant program.   She highly praised the development of educational ties between the two countries and touched on an issue of establishing cooperation in the vocational education field. Deputy Regional Director of Switzerland Development and Cooperation Organization for the South Caucasus Mathias Feldman suggested cooperating in the vocational education field, especially in the agricultural area to organize vocational training. According to the guest, this work will increase service level of farmers, attract people working for the agricultural area to the education, and, overall, will contribute to the development of agricultural field. Misir Mardanov underlined the importance of scholarship program and stressed the need to implement the preparatory work in this regard and give a presentation in the Ministry of Education.   Noting the vocational education field is one of the priority areas in the policy implemented under the leadership of the country’s President, Education Minister gave information on works carried out in the relevant direction. According to him, relevant support will be provided for the implementation of new projects in this direction. The Minister also suggested creating relationship within the School Twinning Project between school-lyceum No.6 of the Ministry of Education and the relevant secondary school of Switzerland. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on other issues of common interest.

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The meeting attendees were welcomed by Education Minister Misir Mardanov. Noting the International Baccalaureate Organization was established in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, the Minister stressed that the International Baccalaureate Programme, which aims to develop intellectual, social, emotional, research,independent learning and intercultural understanding skills in students, currently works with 3,529 schools in 144 countries.     Noting the IB programme has been implemented in our country for 15 years, the Minister underlined that the relevant programme has taught at grades 1, 10 and 11 of the school-lyceum No.6 of the Ministry since 2010. According to him, the education document of students that will complete their secondary education within the IB programme will be recognized in Azerbaijan. He also underlined the importance of providing these schools with high-level logistic base and trained teaching staff.  Regional Director for IB Africa, Europe and Middle East Adrian Kearney thanked the Minister for the warm welcome. He gave detailed information about the IB programme and noted that students completing their secondary education within the programme will have an opportunity to be admitted to the top universities in the world without entrance examinations. Mr. Kearney also underlined the possibility of using IB programme in the vocational education and teacher training fields. Noting the programme provides the qualitative organization of teaching process, the guest stressed that over 1 million students worldwide are involved in the IB programme.   At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on the further development of education field of Azerbaijan within IB programme and discussed other issues of common interest.

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The ceremony was opened by Education Minister Misir Mardanov. He welcomed the participants and noted that the State Program for the study of Azeri youth abroad for years 2007-2015 approved by the order 2090 of President Ilham Aliyev of 16 April, 2007 is successfully implemented. According to him, 1824 students were sent abroad to study at the top universities of foreign countries within the State Program that jointly carried out with the relevant state bodies. The main goal of the State Program is to meet the needs of the country in professionals to form a competitive economy and provide sustainable development, as well as improve the effectiveness of process aimed at the study of talented young people in the developed countries. The Minister talked about the Information Management System and the new website created to implement the organized measures regarding data management of students admitted to, excluded and graduated from overseas universities within the Program, and through the multilateral monitoring improve the transparent process for the selection, implementation and funding. Stressing the system has great potential for e-services the Minister also underlined the importance of launching the Information Management System in the “Year of ICT” proclaimed by the relevant Order of President Ilham Aliyev. Deputy Education Minister Gulu Novruzov gave a presentation devoted to the creation of Information Management System and new website of State Program for the study of Azeri youth abroad for years 2007-2015. In his presentation, he gave statistical data of students received a right to study abroad within the Program in the 2012/2013 academic year on countries, specialties and levels of study. Noting the IMS meets the requirements of the Executive Order 429 of the President on Some measures in the sphere of provision of e-services to government agencies of 23 May, 2011, Deputy Minister underlined submission of applications and other relevant procedures for the State Program on study abroad for the 2012/2013 academic year were implemented in the online form. Noting the IMS will provide a single e-source for necessary information about all students sent abroad within the State Program, the Deputy Education Minister praised the creation of the system as one of the important steps taken in this direction.  G. Novruzov noted that the main feature of e-application developed by using international experience from other e-applications is that the applicants can choose a suitable time for them to submit documents to the Ministry of Education, and one copy of the completed online application is sent to the email address provided by the applicants. Noting the IMS will provide more transparency in the implementation of State program, the Deputy Minister highlighted that the System also meets requirements of the government strategy for simplification of e-services and financing procedures of students’ study within the State Program. Gulu Novruzov gave detailed information about the main features and benefits of the System noting the State Oil Fund and other relevant state bodies are able to connect to the system. Moreover, the System makes possible the e-circulation of relevant documents. Next, the Deputy Minister talked about the new website (www.xaricdetehsil.edu.gov.az) noting the site provides data dissemination through social networks, relevant legal framework, necessary instructional information, and etc. The Executive Director of the State Oil Fund Shahmar Movsumov, Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov and Deputy Head of Azerbaijan Presidential Administration Novruz Mammadov talked about the advantageous of the Information Management System of the State Program for the study of Azeri youth abroad for years 2007-2015. According to them, taken measures are primarily intended to provide the transparency. They also praised the State Program as a care provided by President Ilham Aliyev for the Azeri youth and touched upon issues concerning simplification of certain procedures within the Program. Education Minister Misir Mardanov underlined the annual increase in funding allocated to the State Program by the President. Noting the existence of close contact with students studying abroad in order to achieve good results from the policy that aims in the present and future development of Azerbaijan, the Minister expressed his belief in successful implementation of the State Program.

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The event was attended by Education Minister Misir Mardanov, heads of relevant structural unit of the Ministry, executive director for Azerbaijan National Parent-Teacher Association Tarana Sharifova, school directors, chairs of PTA’s, teachers and parents. At first, the meeting attendees have held a minute's silence in memory of the Khojaly tragedy’s victims. Speaking at the opening of the event, Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the meeting is devoted to the discussion of issues, such as parental involvement in the teaching process and strengthening of public control over the schools management. The Minister underlined the conduction of regular discussions to improve the level of education and increase in efforts to solve the existing problems. He talked about the activity of Hotline Service of the Ministry and stressed the work done by the Service will be improved. The Minister highly praised the activity of PTA’s at schools noting the existence of schools where the relevant associations haven’t established yet. He suggested to the newly established PTA’s using the rich experience of existing ones. Noting the educators are the leading strength of the community, Minister Mardanov stressed the great responsibility of PTA’s to inform the community about the activity of the schools. He also underlined the need to organize the activity of PTA’s more efficiently to eliminate the problems that occur at schools. Members of PTA’s, school directors, teachers and parents made a speech at the meeting and voiced some proposals. Next, there was held open discussions regarding the different fields of the education. At the end, some educators were awarded a badge of Advanced Educator of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and active members of PTA’s were presented certificates.

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At the meeting, Education Minister Misir Mardanov talked about the existence relations between Azerbaijan and Korea and projects implemented within the educational cooperation. He underlined the importance of work implemented by the Korea International Cooperation Agency within the education ties and expressed his belief in further development of current relations. Resident Representative of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Azerbaijan Office Kim Eun Suk thanked the Minister for the warm welcome. He talked about the results of projects implemented by KOICA and underlined the importance of launching new projects to develop cooperation in the education field. Kim Eun Suk drew attention to the importance of projects, such as “Distance requalification education for teachers” and “Electronic document circulation in the education system of Azerbaijan” and the need to hold bilateral discussions in the relevant direction.   Minister Mardanov noted that the Ministry of Education is interested in the expansion of cooperation within the projects for the “Distance requalification education for teachers” and “Electronic document circulation in the education system of Azerbaijan.” Stressing modern teachers should be highly trained and have information about advanced innovations, the Minister expressed his hope that an issue regarding the application of distance requalification education will have significant results. At the meeting, the sides also exchanged views on some issues of mutual interest.

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Speaking at the meeting, Education Minister and Chair of Organizing Committee for Best Secondary School and Best Teacher competitions Misir Mardanov talked about the importance of competitions. Noting they are a great opportunity to create healthy competition between schools and teachers, and be creative the Minister wished the Organizing Committee success in its activity. According to him, competitions have been held in the country for six years within the Executive Orders of President Ilham Aliyev on Establishing Best Secondary School and Best Teacher Awards of 4 September 2007.  The Minister gave a presentation on the first stage of competitions and results of reviewed documents submitted by contestants. According to the Minister, 132 schools from different regions and cities of the country submitted documents to take part in the Best Secondary School competition in 2013. Last year, their number was 151 schools. He noted that, 21 of 132 schools became the winners of competition held in the 2007/2008 academic year, and 2 won the competition in the 2008/2009 academic year. The Minister added that 103 schools received the relevant scores have passed to the second stage of the competition. He also noted that the presentation stage for school directors will begin on 1 March. Noting 481 teachers (464 teachers in 2012) submitted documents to participate in the Best Teacher competition in 2013, the Minister said that 477 documents out of 481 were reviewed and assessed. According to him, 27 of 477 teachers are the winners of competition held in the 2007/2008 academic year. A majority of participants are primary school (44), English language (32) and Azeri language and literature (23) teachers. According to the Minister, 201 teachers out of 477 have passed to the second stage of competition. He also gave information on regions presented by teachers that will continue their participation in the competition.   Noting the second stage of the competition will begin on March 11, the Minister listed schools where exemplary lessons for competitors will be organized. He gave his recommendations for the effective organization of Expert Commissions’ activity that will assess the lessons and noted that the instruction-related meetings for experts and school directors will be held separately.   Next, meeting attendees exchanged views on issues regarding the conduction of competitions.

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Education Minster Misir Mardanov welcomed the guests and highlighted interest engendered by projects for “Distance requalification education for teachers” and “Electronic document circulation in the education system of Azerbaijan.”   Choi Seon Mook, expert for Distance Requalification Education for Teachers Project, gave detailed information on the project. According to him, the project allows teachers to attend the distance learning courses and keep working by not allocating a specific time for the study. According to the guest, the project program and topics will be developed by the Ministry of Education and assimilation of specified topics by teachers attended the distance learning courses will be evaluated electronically. Resident Representative of KOICA Azerbaijan Office Kim Eun Suk talked about the issues that should be solved for the implementation of Distance Requalification Education for Teachers Project. According to him, at first, the video tutorials will be prepared and placed in the relevant base, and teachers that will attend distance learning courses will able to use these tutorials through special permission granted to them. Chul Yun Kim, expert for Electronic document circulation in the education system of Azerbaijan Project, talked about the importance of the project, According to him, it is planning to create the e-document circulation system between region (city) education departments and other structural units of the Ministry. Noting the project will expand e-application capabilities of the Ministry, Chul Yun Kim underlined that a digital signature will be used in the e-document circulation. Education Minister highly praised the activity of KOICA within the abovementioned projects and noted the creation of these systems will contribute to the organization of modern educational system in the country. Noting the projects also will contribute to the improvement of teachers’ professional development level, creation of virtual learning environment, provision of free entrance to the learning and teaching materials and expansion of e-management in the education system, the Minister thanked everyone involved in the projects. Next, the sides discussed other issues of common interest regarding the projects implementation.

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All calls were received, recorded, investigated and responded. A majority of calls were for inquire and information. Inquires were regarding issues, such as recruitment of teachers, education of disabled children, study abroad, recognition of education documents, transfer of students studying abroad to the universities of Azerbaijan, organization of exam sessions at higher and secondary special education institutions, school uniform, provision of teachers with teaching load, and etc.   The Service received 67 complaints from general education, initial vocational education, secondary special and higher education establishments. The Service received 47 complaints from secondary schools of the country, including 23 from Baku, 2 from Sumgayit, 2 from Ganja, 4 from Gabala, 2 from Bilasuvar, Sheki, Gadabay, Lerik accordingly, and 1 from each – Gusar, Agjabedi, Neftchala, Ismayilli, Barda, Khachmaz, Tartar and Gazakh regions. The majority of them were about raising funds for the purchase of technical equipment, shortcomings made by school directors in the management and other issues.    The Physics teacher of school No.146 of Baku received a reprimand, and Math teacher of school No. 171 received a warning as a result of investigated complaints. One inquire was received from initial vocational education establishments. It was from Vocational School No.3 of Sumgayit. A prompt investigation of inquires received by the Service regarding the execution of Order 2216 of the Ministry of Education on “Organization and Conduction of autumn semester exams at higher and secondary special education institutions in the 2012/2013 academic year” of 18 December 2012 were implemented. The investigation helped to ensure the transparency and impartiality in the assessment of student knowledge at higher and secondary special education institutions and avoid negative facts that might occur. Inquires received from higher education institutions were about the organization of semester exams in written and test forms, application of Bologna system in exams, masters-level study, tuition fee payment, procedures for granting scholarships to students at private universities, and etc. In January, the Service received 19 complaints from the higher and secondary special education institutions, including 9 from public, 6 from private universities, and 4 from secondary special education institutions.   

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Speaking at the opening of the meeting Education Minister Misir Mardanov noted that the meeting is devoted to the accreditation results of Gakh Vocational Lyceum, Zagatala Vocational School, Agdam Vocational School and Ganja Vocational Lyceum No.1.  Chair of Accreditation Commission for Gakh Vocational Lyceum Sharif Hajiyev gave information about the results of accreditation. He talked about the activity of lyceum, personnel training on the relevant specialties, its students, job provision for graduates, results of survey held during the accreditation, and etc. Chair of Accreditation Commission for Zagatala Vocational School Shahin Baylarov gave information about the survey held at the school. He talked about the activity of the school, personnel training quality, material and technical base, as well as compliance indicators of school’s activity with its status.  Chair of Accreditation Commission for Agdam Vocational School Vidadi Guliyev gave information about the activity of lyceum, its logistic base, organization of teaching process, overall, the results of accreditation. V. Guliyev also talked about its teaching staff, job provision for graduates and other issues. Chair of Accreditation Commission for Ganja Vocational Lyceum No.1 Sahib Rustamov gave detailed information about the school regarding the activity of lyceum, job provision of its graduates for the last 5 years, and etc. According to V. Guliyev, relevant specialties of the Lyceum weren’t accredited due to poor logistic base, disorganization at industry practice, and other problems existing at school. Further, questions taken from the meeting attendees were answered and made some offers. Education Minister Misir Mardanov shared his opinion on the results of accreditation held at vocational education institutions and gave his recommendations. At the end of the meeting, the activity of Gakh Vocational Lyceum, Zagatala Vocational School, Agdam Vocational School was assessed as “satisfactory” and relevant specialties of these schools were accredited. The activity of Ganja Vocational Lyceum was assessed as “dissatisfactory” and its relevant specialties weren’t accredited.

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