Education is one of the constantly renewed, developing and most discussed areas of society. Every event, decision and opinion expressed in this field is at the center of attention of a wide audience, from teachers to students, from parents to applicants.
In Azerbaijan, the education agenda last week was marked by a number of notable events, important statements and public discussions.
In order to keep these points in the attention of readers and to gather the main events of the week, AzEdu.az is launching the "Weekly Education Review" section.
The section will present the most discussed education news of the week, resonant statements and topics that remain on the agenda.
So, what events marked the education agenda last week?
Last week, the education agenda was dominated by protests from bachelors and other candidates taking the master's exam. The entrance exam for master's degrees in higher education institutions held on May 17 was remembered with difficulties for many candidates due to unexpected weather conditions and the congestion caused by the WUF13 event organized in the city. Due to heavy rain and the closure of some roads, serious traffic jams occurred in various directions of the capital, which prevented bachelors going to the exam from reaching the exam centers on time.
Although 23,086 bachelors registered for the exam for the second attempt, only 17,912 of them were able to participate in the exam. The fact that 5,174 people could not participate in the exam is considered a sufficiently serious statistic and clearly shows the scale of the situation. Candidates who participated in the exam had to take the exam in a stressful atmosphere due to rainy weather conditions, the risk of delay and the tension that arose. Opinions were expressed that these factors would affect their results.
After mass dissatisfaction, the State Examination Center commented on the issue and announced that the exam will be re-organized on June 14 for those who registered for the master's exam held on May 17. Thus, 5,174 people who could not participate in the exam will have the opportunity to take the exam again without any additional payment. The 17,912 people who participated in the exam will be able to try their luck for the third time.
In addition, the time of various purpose exams organized on the basis of general (9-year) secondary education held on the same date has also been changed. The said exams are planned to be held again on June 21.
One of the most discussed statements of last week was made by People's Writer Kamal Abdulla. The opinions of Kamal Abdulla, the rector of Azerbaijan University of Languages (ADU), regarding the role of women in society in an interview he gave, quickly resonated widely on social networks and caused serious discussions.
During the interview, in response to a question about "men who think it is easier to marry an uneducated woman," the rector emphasized that the main role of a woman is related to family and child upbringing, and stated that it might be more beneficial for society if women are mostly at home and engaged with their children.
These opinions, however, were met with sharp criticism, especially on social networks and among the education community. Many users and public activists noted that this approach does not align with the realities of the modern era, and that the role of women in education, science, and public life is being overshadowed.
After the reactions, Kamal Abdulla made an additional statement, saying that his opinions were taken out of context. He noted that he has always considered women's success in various fields of society to be normal and valuable, and his attitude towards Azerbaijani women has always been reflected in his creativity and activities.
Nevertheless, the expressed opinions became one of the most talked-about topics on the education and society agenda last week.
Last week, not only education, but also the WUF13 held in Baku was on the agenda of both local and international media. The World Urban Forum, organized by the UN Human Settlements Program in Baku from May 17-22, became the center of global discussions on urban planning, sustainable development and urbanization issues. Local media representatives actively worked throughout the event, preparing hundreds of news and analytical materials daily.
The role of hundreds of volunteers from Azerbaijani universities in successfully ensuring the organizational and information flow of the event should be specially noted. They actively participated in registration, guiding guests, providing information, translation support and general coordination, making a great contribution to the smooth and efficient conduct of the forum. The participation of young people in this process contributed both to their gaining experience and to the high-level organization of the international event.
Within the framework of the forum, stands belonging to various higher education institutions of the country were also set up. Through these stands, participants from foreign countries got acquainted with Azerbaijani universities, and obtained detailed information about educational programs, specialties and international opportunities. As a result, WUF13 played an important role as a platform for Azerbaijani higher education institutions to promote themselves more effectively to an international audience and increase their visibility in the global academic environment.
Last week, the results of a quantitative survey conducted by AzEdu.az on the teacher certification process and existing rules were announced. The main purpose of the survey was to learn the expectations of teachers involved in the certification process, the innovations they want to see, and the issues that concern them.
According to the results of the survey, the issue that teachers pay the most attention to is the consideration of the results of the interview stage of certification in salary increases. According to the participants, the results obtained at this stage should not remain only as a formal evaluation, but should also be reflected in financial incentives.
The second most emphasized point is that salary increases should not be tied only to a certain passing score, but rather applied on the basis of a more fair and differential approach.
Interesting proposals were also put forward by teachers in the survey. Some participants suggested that the interview stage should be abolished altogether, and curriculum questions should be removed from the certification process. At the same time, approaches such as voluntary participation of teachers who successfully pass certification once in future stages were also brought to the agenda by teachers. These results generally reveal teachers' expectations for a more flexible, transparent and fair approach to the certification process.
Last week, one of the main topics dominating the education agenda in Nakhchivan was the technical problem that arose with the certification process for educators. Although the results of the test exams for the second cycle held on May 2, 3, 10 and 11 were sent to the personal accounts of the teachers, it was later revealed that some results had been changed.
According to the Ministry of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, a technical error occurred in the software during the evaluation of the test exam for the position of Pre-Conscription Military Leader of Youth held on May 11. Thus, 2 points were mistakenly calculated instead of 1 point for 4 questions, which caused differences in the results of some teachers.
In connection with the issue, opportunities for teachers to apply were provided through the "Certification" section of the portal.edu.az platform and the Ministry of Education of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Last Sunday was remembered as one of the most important days for the entire education community, especially for applicants preparing for higher education institutions. Thus, the first attempt of the entrance exam for II and III specialty groups was held on May 24.
The exam, in which approximately 57 thousand applicants participated, was organized in various exam centers across the country. In general, no serious dissatisfaction was recorded regarding the exam process, and many participants stated that the exam went relatively normally.
However, the real results of the exam and how the overall evaluation will be will only become fully clear after the results are announced approximately three weeks later.
