On May 3-4, an Azerbaijani delegation attended the 89th session of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva. The delegation, whose composition was defined by an order of President Ilham Aliyev, was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov. The session considered the seventh, eighth and ninth periodical reports of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The reports were presented by Khalaf Khalafov. In his remarks, the Deputy FM said the elimination of racial discrimination was stipulated in Azerbaijan`s national legislation. He highlighted the implementation of the National Plan of Action on the Protection of Human Rights and the Plan of Action on the Fight against Trafficking in Human Beings. Khalaf Khalafov drew the audience`s attention to Azerbaijan`s measures – both at national and international levels – to develop religious tolerance and inter-ethnic relations in the country. The Deputy FM said that in accordance with an executive order of the Azerbaijani President, 2016 was declared a year of Multiculturalism with the aim of preserving the values of multiculturalism in the country. During the session CERD members hailed Azerbaijan`s cooperation with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, accomplishments in the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the country`s legislation in this regard. They also applauded the national solidarity in Azerbaijan, the government`s measures to strengthen the protection of women`s rights, pardons, as well as the country`s contribution to the fight against racism, development of multiculturalism and cultural diversity through hosting large-scale international sporting and cultural events. The committee members also hailed information on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which was provided by the Azerbaijani delegation. Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov responded to CERD members` questions on education, including education for refugees and IDPs, women`s involvement in the education system and other issues. Deputy Minister of Education Firudin Gurbanov also highlighted what had been done to prevent racial discrimination in Azerbaijan`s education system and the government`s attention to this sector. He said the right to get education and right to use one`s mother tongue were stipulated in the country`s legislation, Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and relevant articles of Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Deputy Minister said there were schools for national (ethnic) minorities in the country, and spoke of preparation of textbooks for them. Firudin Gurbanov described Azerbaijan as a land of tolerance and multiculturalism. He drew the audience`s attention to a series of events held under a plan of action for the Year of Multiculturalism, saying they included a drawing competition among pupils, seminars on inter-cultural communication skills and knowledge in secondary and vocational schools, “Azerbaijani multiculturalism” public lectures, regional quiz competitions among pupils.

10/05/2016 14:20

On May 8, the Ministry of Education held a blood donation campaign at secondary school No. 202 in Baku on the occasion of International Thalassemia Day. Held for the third year, the campaign saw employees of the ministry of Education and Baku City Education Department, and teachers donate blood. Donors were examined by hematologists of a special medical team of the Central Blood Bank of B. Eyvazov Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology. After laboratory analysis, blood samples will be gathered at the Central Blood Bank to be used in treatment of genetic blood diseases.  The campaign aimed to support a series of events held under “Care for the children suffering from hemophilia and thalassemia” State Program, which was approved by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

10/05/2016 14:17

A ceremony was held at Gulustan palace on May 5 to award winners of “Best presentation” competition, which marked the 93rd anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev. Prior to the ceremony senior education officials visited the Alley of Honors to lay flowers at the grave of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The competition, which involved 9th-11th grade pupils, was co-organized by the Ministry of Education, Heydar Aliyev Foundation, New Azerbaijan Party, Ministry of Communications and High Technologies, Azerbaijan Education Workers Free Trade Unions Republican Committee. Participants in the event included deputy Prime Minister, deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov, Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov, chairperson of the Board of Directors of State Examination Center Maleyka Abbaszade, chairman of Azerbaijan Copyright Agency Kamran Imanov, deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Iltimas Mammadov, director of Heydar Aliyev Center Anar Alakbarov, chairman of Azerbaijan Education Workers Free Trade Unions Republican Committee Sattar Mehbalıyev, as well as parliamentarians, heads of educational institutions, well-known intellectuals, teachers and pupils. The event started with the performance of the state anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan by a children`s choir of Bulbul secondary music school. The participants then observed a minute of silence for martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the recent battles for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov congratulated the winners of “Best presentation” competition. He stressed the role of the competition in encouraging young generation to study national leader Heydar Aliyev`s rich political legacy, life and activities. The Minister said that thanks to President Ilham Aliyev`s care different programs and projects were successfully implemented in the country with the aim of developing education. Mikayil Jabbarov said Azerbaijan was on the verge of celebrating the 25th anniversary of its state independence, and highlighted education reforms carried out during the years of independence. The Minister said education reforms had become more practical and effective in recent years. “Strategic priorities and goals stipulated in the ‘State Strategy for Development of Education in the Republic of Azerbaijan’ define development trends in Azerbaijan`s education in compliance with the challenges of the 21st century.” Minister Jabbarov said education infrastructure had been completely overhauled, adding that material and technical resources of educational institutions were improved to modern standards. He said significant measures were taken to increase prestige of teaching profession, adding that mechanisms were applied to improve teachers` knowledge and skills and develop teaching methodologies. The Minister also highlighted the efforts to ensure that heads of general education institutions were defined based on professional criteria. Mikayil Jabbarov said they learn public opinion in connection with new textbook projects, and provided an insight into tasks ahead with respect to education abroad, and other topical issues. Deputy Prime Minister, deputy chairman of the New Azerbaijan Party Ali Ahmadov emphasized the significance of the competition. He said it was important that young generation studied rich legacy of national leader Heydar Aliyev. The Deputy Prime Minister said such events contributed to shaping pupils` statehood thinking and views. Deputy Minister of Communications and High Technologies Iltimas Mammadov and chairman of Azerbaijan Education Workers Free Trade Unions Republican Committee Sattar Mehbalıyev congratulated the winners of the competition. According to results of “Best presentation” competition, five entries received 1st degree certificates, 11 entries received 2nd degree certificates, 16 entries received 3rd degree certificates and 18 entries received certificates of merit.  The winners also received valuable prizes.

06/05/2016 16:04

On May 4, Minister of Education Mikayıl Jabbarov met with Director of UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) Mmantsetsa Marope, who is visiting Azerbaijan on the invitation of the Ministry of Education. Founded as a private organization in Geneva in 1925, IBE became a UNESCO institution in 1999, with its primary goal being the development of curriculum, education methods and teaching strategies. Minister Mikayıl Jabbarov and IBE director Mmantsetsa Marope discussed prospects for Azerbaijan-UNESCO relations in the field of education. During the visit, Mmantsetsa Marope will give a lecture titled “Managing Education Systems towards 2030” to representatives of Azerbaijani higher education institutions at ADA University.

05/05/2016 12:57

Employees of the local Organizing Committee of “UEFA European Under-17 Championship Azerbaijan-2016” tournament have held meetings with pupils of secondary schools in Baku. Organized in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the meetings aimed to encourage young generation`s interest in football and increase their awareness of the Under-17 championship. The Organizing Committee employees met with more than 3700 pupils in 46 secondary schools. The meetings were attended by footballers playing in the national league and for the national team, as well as youth, who will compete in the Under-17 championship, and Ambassador of the championship, Honored Artist Roya. During the meetings the Organizing Committee employees informed pupils about the Under-17 championship and responded to their questions. They emphasized the importance of encouraging children`s interest in football and healthy lifestyle through UEFA European Under-17 Championship, and also stressed the necessity of supporting Azerbaijan`s national team at the championship.  

05/05/2016 12:54

On May 3, Minister of Education Mikayıl Jabbarov received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Moldova to Azerbaijan George Leuke. They discussed the current state of relations between the two countries in the field of education and prospects for cooperation.

05/05/2016 10:36

The Ministry of Education has announced a transfer competition for teachers employed on termless contracts (on the permanent basis) in general schools of Baku Department of Education. The competition will feature three stages (consideration of electronic applications, test and interview). Teachers who wish to participate in the competition can register online at www.miq.edu.az/baku from May 3 to 10, 2016.

04/05/2016 14:11

On May 2, “Magical colours of nature” exhibition was launched at the Applied Arts Gallery of the Republican Methodological and Training Center for Aesthetic Education. The exhibition aimed to summarize the results of work done during the academic year and promote the topic of nature and its preservation. Other objectives included increasing awareness about wildlife, its preservation and damage caused by humans to the environment, as well as attracting pupils` attention to global environmental events such as Bird Day, Earth Day, World Environment Day and Arbor Day. Nearly 140 works made by children and youth aged between 5 and 16 in the genres of fine arts, graphics, application, collage, the art of stained glass and Batik on silk were on display at the exhibition. Children demonstrated clothes featuring printed images of birds made through Batik technique.   The exhibition also featured quizzes, games and musical performance involving children. Participants were awarded presents and certificates.

04/05/2016 12:45

The country-wide chess festival marking the 93rd anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev has wrapped up. Organized by “Tahsil” Republican Sports Center in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the festival involved nearly 400 pupils from pilot comprehensive schools where chess is on the curriculum. In the team event, Ujar ranked first, while Narimanov district, Baku, finished second and the city of Mingachevir was third. Winners in team, class and individual events were awarded certificates and valuable presents by the Ministry of Education.

04/05/2016 11:14

On May 2, Minister of Education Mikayıl Jabbarov received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Irfan Siddiq, who is completing his mission in Azerbaijan. They discussed Azerbaijan-UK relations in the field of education and future cooperation prospects. Minister Jabbarov hailed the bilateral ties in the field of education, and said the Ministry was interested in developing this cooperation.

04/05/2016 11:11