Every change in the education field raises deep interests in people. Moreover, it is impossible to be indifferent towards these developments, as a man striving to improve its knowledge during long life well understands that the level of education determines his future and the future of the country.
Even the data by the Sattte Satyics Committee of Azerbaijan also testify that the people with high education comprises the less part of the unemployed public budget assignments are directed at this field: in 2005 the education expenses comprised 1.7trln manats or $364m.
According to UNICEF, 99% of omen and 965 of women are literate in Azerbaijan. The level of literacy remained unchanged in Azerbaijan as compared to 1990, though core changes were observed in the national education. No secret, the muddle reigning in the field bewilders oth teachers and students.
Until recent period Soviet methods of teaching, Russian innovations, Azerbaijani �know-how’, Turkish �okuls’ (schools), as well as different methods of teaching had got acclimatized n the Azerbaijani education. However, Azerbaijan’s aspiration to European standards in the political sphere affected the education, too. Hence, the European education methods, which we perceived after the signing of a document on joining to Bologna process, will unction in the national education system.
It actually promises enough prestige. The Bologna process, formed in 1999 by 29 European countries targets the establishment of a unified education area in Europe. Joining to the Bologna declaration will enable to achieve the European recognition of the Azerbaijani certificates and the scientific titles. Every graduate will receive a special appendix free of charge with an education certificate written in one of man European languages. However, it is necessary to make the education transparent and competitive as maximum. Identical education cuticles should exist in the universities: bachelor вЂ" magistracy, profiled education, unified system of appraisal of knowledge through education credits, enabling easily pass the grades.
Obviously, it would be too difficult to older generation to get accustomed 12-year secondary education, or new credit system on the universities after long realization of soviet education traditions. Besides, the enactment of the Bologna process commits Azerbaijan on application of new curriculums in a compliance with the European standards.
However, such changes will not occur immediately and easily. For instance, the transition to 12-tear secondary education will be accompanies by problems with teachers, class-rooms, development of curriculums and issue of text-books, deferral of the conscription date. Besides, Azerbaijan yields from European standards, as well as many European countries, in many points. The Education Ministry also recognizes them and tries to settle through adoption of different state programs.
It is necessary to design a 2005-2009 State Program on the improvement of the logistics base of the secondary schools. The Azerbaijani government will allot $100m for the implementation of the State Program enabling to cover the demand for desks, blackboards, chairs and tables.
Besides, 1 computer falls on 1063 pupils, while the figure is expected to be 1 computer per 33 pupils as a result of the implementation of the State Program on provision of the secondary schools with the information-computer technologies. The government allocated $20m in this connection. It becomes very important as EURYDICE is the major support element to Bologna system. It currently unites over 30 countries (EU member-countries, countries of the Eurasian free trade zone, Malta and Cyprus).
It means the national education will cease functioning in isolation and will affect on the ongoing developments in the education system. Azerbaijan could enter the list of European countries with reasonable education market by this way. It would put an end to negative factors in the modern education, like guardianship, biased estimation of knowledge, bribery and different for of corruption.
It increases not only the exchange of knowledge, but exchange of students. This year the local universities issued certificates for 3500 foreigners, while 100 Azerbaijanis received diplomas abroad under the students exchange programs. Thirty Azerbaijani students entered the Turkish universities in 2005-2006 academician year. They will study for electronics and communications, construction, telecommunications, shipbuilding, management of civil aviation, medicine, political sciences and international relationships. Azerbaijan’s joining to Bologna process will enable meet the interests of the Azerbaijani youth, rivalry of the Azerbaijani universities and graduates at the European market.
Europe is Europe, while the Asian roots of Azerbaijan with the Moslem bases make themselves felt. From the new education year the Islamic teaching hours will be increased at the secondary schools for upgrade of moral behavior of the youth, preservation of younger generation from harmful religious trends and different bad habits. Te Ministry is currently involved in the development of a unified curriculum for teaching religion and Arabic. It is interesting that until the recent period the Education ministry had been against teaching Islam in Azerbaijani schools, given that the religion was isolated from the state in accordance with the Constitution. However, an idea of study of religion came out with direct participation of the state. The teachers and students are not against study of religion, if it is voluntary.
In any case, irrespective on the innovation introduced in the Azerbaijani section of the education the most essential is bring it in line with the word standards and do not lose all those accumulated earlier.