The “Azerbaijani Culture - 2040” Culture Concept, approved by President Ilham Aliyev, envisages the integration of culture into education, including the teaching of subjects and knowledge related to cultural fields and Azerbaijan's cultural values, during the years 2026-2030.
It is interesting to know what the name of this subject might be? Which teachers, having completed which specialization, can teach this subject? In general, in which grades should this subject be taught?
Günay Akbarova, Secretary of the Public Council under the Ministry of Science and Education, spoke to AzEdu.az on the topic.
She noted that this is a living mechanism that shapes the worldview of future generations:
"To correctly understand the essence of this Concept, it is first necessary to pay attention to the long-term perspective on culture and national values formed by Mr. President Ilham Aliyev. The President has repeatedly emphasized in his speeches that culture is one of the main pillars that sustain the identity of every nation, and the continuity of statehood traditions is built precisely upon these spiritual pillars. According to his approach, national culture is not only a heritage to be preserved but also a living mechanism that shapes the worldview of future generations.
From this perspective, the “Azerbaijani Culture - 2040” Culture Concept is not merely a strategic document for the cultural sector, but also a fundamental roadmap that creates a bridge between education, public thought, and national identity. In particular, the idea of integrating culture into education, envisioned for the years 2026-2030, can be regarded as a practical manifestation of the President's model of “a society rooted in national values while also being modern-minded”".
This step aims to engage the younger generation with history, literature, and art:
"As Mr. President has repeatedly noted, young people must deeply understand their national roots, while also being able to compete in the global world without losing their identity. It is precisely for this reason that the systematic integration of culture into the school environment is not accidental. This step aims to move the younger generation's attitude towards history, literature, art, and national-moral values beyond the level of formal knowledge, transitioning them to a stage of internal assimilation and conscious understanding.
At the same time, this Concept is also an indicator of the President's view of culture not merely as capital-centric, but as a nationwide value encompassing regions, local heritage, folk creativity, and diverse cultural variety. The inclusion of culture in the educational sphere can ensure that children growing up in the regions approach their environment, local customs and traditions, and historical memory more consciously.
In this sense, the implementation of the new subject envisioned in the Concept is a logical continuation of the President's valuing culture as strategic capital to be passed on to the future, and I believe that this approach will make a significant contribution to the deeper, more identity-oriented, and more sustainable development of Azerbaijani education in terms of content".
