Education In Azerbaijan: Free Or Not?

Education is free in Azerbaijan for children between the ages of six and fifteen. The Azerbaijani education system is divided into three main levels: primary school, general secondary school, and full secondary school, followed by higher education or vocational training. The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan regulates the nation's education system and oversees any new developments. While primary and secondary education are free, higher education is provided by both state and private institutions.

Azerbaijan's education system is divided into three main levels: primary, general secondary, and full secondary school

Primary Education

Primary education in Azerbaijan starts at the age of six and lasts for four years, covering the first four classes (1–4). The objective of primary education is to develop children's reading, writing, and basic mathematical skills, as well as imparting fundamental knowledge about society, nature, and the environment.

General Secondary Education

General secondary education in Azerbaijan is equivalent to the Western system of middle school and covers grades 5 through 9. Students in this stage gain deeper knowledge in various subjects, including literature, mathematics, languages, history, culture, sports, science, and arts. General secondary education is compulsory and free in public schools. At the end of this stage, students take an exam to advance to full secondary education.

Full Secondary Education

Full secondary education in Azerbaijan covers grades 10 and 11 and is also provided free of charge in public schools. During this period, students start choosing their future profession and begin preparing for entrance exams, which are highly competitive. The entrance exam is a governmental exam that takes place every summer, and high scores can lead to full scholarships from the government to cover tuition fees.

Higher Education

After completing full secondary education, students in Azerbaijan have the option to pursue higher education at universities, academies, institutes, colleges, or conservatoires. There are both state-run and private tertiary institutions, with 38 state-run and 11 private universities in the country. Undergraduate courses are often taught in English, especially at newer or more popular universities. Additionally, there are vocational schools that offer skills-based education starting from grades 9 or 11 and lasting three to four years.

Education is free and compulsory for children aged six to fifteen

Azerbaijan's education system is regulated by the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan and is divided into three main levels: primary school, general secondary school, and full secondary school, followed by higher education or vocational training.

Following primary school, students attend general secondary school, which covers grades five through nine and ages ten to fourteen. General secondary education is also free and compulsory. The main objectives of this stage of schooling include developing proficient writing skills, using oral speech to present ideas and exchange information, strengthening logical thinking abilities, and using modern technologies and communication tools to facilitate learning. All students are formally evaluated at the end of their general secondary schooling, and those who successfully pass receive a certificate that indicates their candidacy to proceed to the next level of education.

Full secondary education comprises grades ten and eleven and ages fifteen to sixteen. During this stage, students may begin to specialize in their educational track, choosing from broad areas such as technical, humanitarian, or natural subjects. Students are also expected to gain proficient communication skills in one or more foreign languages. As with the previous level, a final assessment is given at the end of full secondary education to determine the student's eligibility to continue on to higher education. Successful students receive a state certificate of education upon graduation.

The Azerbaijani education system has a democratic and secular character

Azerbaijan's education system is democratic and secular, with a basis in national and international values. The right to education is a fundamental right of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as outlined in the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijani government provides free and compulsory education for children between the ages of six and fifteen, with a focus on ensuring equal access to education for all citizens, regardless of nationality, religion, race, language, sex, age, health, or social status.

The education system in Azerbaijan is regulated by the Ministry of Education and consists of graduated educational programs, educational institution networks, and governing bodies. The system is divided into three main levels: primary school, general secondary school, and full secondary school, followed by higher education or vocational training. While Azerbaijani is the main language of instruction, Russian and English are often taught as second languages.

During the pre-Soviet period, the Azerbaijani education system included Islamic religious training that commenced in early childhood. Children attended madrasahs, educational institutions affiliated with mosques, starting at around age five. In the late 19th century, secular elementary schools for Azerbaijanis began to appear, but most ethnic Azerbaijani children did not receive an education during this period, resulting in low literacy rates, especially among women.

The Soviet era brought significant improvements to the education system in Azerbaijan. The system became modelled after that of Moscow, with state control of all educational institutions. Literacy rates and education levels increased drastically, even with changes in the script from Arabic to Latin to Cyrillic.

Since gaining independence, Azerbaijan has made few structural changes to its education system, primarily adopting a modified Latin alphabet to replace Cyrillic. The country has implemented educational reforms with support from organisations like the World Bank and UNICEF, aiming to improve teaching methods, curricula, and resources.

Azerbaijan's education system aims to provide a well-rounded education to its citizens, promoting democratic values and secular principles while also respecting cultural and religious diversity. The system strives to ensure equal access to education for all, fostering social and economic development in the country.

The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan regulates the nation's education system

The Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan (MoE) is the governmental body that regulates the country's education system. The MoE was established on May 18, 1918, when the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic declared independence. The first agency, the Ministry of Public Enlightenment, consisted of three departments: General Secondary Education, Higher and Secondary Specialized Education, and Vocational Schools.

The MoE plays a crucial role in enforcing government procedures and policies in the education sector, ensuring that all citizens have the right to receive a proper education. This includes providing free and compulsory general secondary education for children between the ages of six and fifteen, with Azerbaijani as the main language of instruction. The MoE also ensures equality in educational institutions and guarantees quality education for all citizens.

The ministry has undergone several name changes and restructurings throughout its history. After Soviet rule was established in 1920, it was transformed into the Commissariat of Public Enlightenment, bringing all educational institutions in the republic under its supervision. In 1940, the Department of Labour Reserves was established to oversee vocational institutions, and in 1959, it became the State Committee of Vocational Education.

Today, the MoE continues to play a vital role in shaping the education system in Azerbaijan, ensuring that it meets the needs of its citizens and aligns with international standards. The ministry also publishes the "Azerbaijan Journal of Educational Studies," a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal, to disseminate research and knowledge in the field of education.

In recent years, the Azerbaijani government has made significant efforts to improve access to education, particularly in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. In 2024, President Ilham Aliyev allocated nearly $6 million to build Karabakh University in the regional capital of Xankendi, offering free tuition, room and board, and laptops to attract students.

The Azerbaijani government provides all public schools with the necessary textbooks, free of charge

Education is a fundamental right of every citizen in Azerbaijan. The country's constitution states that the government grants free compulsory general secondary education. This includes providing all public schools with the necessary textbooks, free of charge.

The Azerbaijani government's commitment to providing free textbooks is an important aspect of its overall approach to education. The country has a democratic and secular educational system, with a focus on national and international values. Ensuring access to textbooks is a key part of this, helping to guarantee that all citizens have the right to education, regardless of differences such as nationality, religion, race, language, sex, age, or social status.

The provision of free textbooks is particularly significant given the historical context of education in Azerbaijan. Before the Soviet era, the education system placed a strong emphasis on Islamic religious training, with many children attending madrasahs, or religious institutions affiliated with mosques. During the Soviet period, the education system became highly centralised and controlled by the state, with a heavy focus on Marxist-Leninist ideology. Since independence, Azerbaijan has made some changes to its educational system, including a shift back to using a modified Latin alphabet.

The government's provision of free textbooks supports the overall goal of improving literacy and educational outcomes in the country. According to UNICEF, the adult literacy rate between 2008 and 2012 was 99.8%, and the primary school enrolment ratio was 87.3%. While these figures are impressive, there are still some challenges. For example, during the violent conflict in the late 1980s and early 1990s, many schools were reportedly captured and destroyed, leading to the displacement of a large number of students and educational staff. Additionally, in the late 1990s, parents of primary students were often required to pay a portion of school fees and purchase textbooks, due to economic problems at the time.

To address these challenges, the Azerbaijani government has collaborated with international organisations and donors to improve the country's education system. With support from the World Bank Education Reform Project and other initiatives, there has been a focus on revising and improving the quality of textbooks and curricula used in schools. These efforts aim to ensure that teaching materials are responsive to the needs of contemporary Azerbaijani students and better prepare them for the globalised labour market.

Frequently asked questions