In recent years, a number of important laws have been adopted and amendments made to existing legislation with the aim of developing the education sector in the country and adapting it to modern requirements. These reforms are aimed at improving the quality of education, creating equal opportunities, and protecting the rights of teachers and students. The adopted innovations serve to make the education system more flexible, transparent, and competitive.
What are the main legislative changes made in education in recent years, and what further changes are needed in education legislation?
Commenting on the topic to AzEdu.az, Elnara Akimova, a member of the Science and Education Committee of the Milli Majlis and a deputy, noted that in recent years, the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan has consistently improved legislation in the field of education and adopted many strategic changes:
“The main direction of these changes is to increase the effectiveness of the education system, better protect student rights, ensure social justice, and accelerate the adaptation of education to international standards. As President Ilham Aliyev stated, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Education" is frequently updated and adapted to modern requirements, ensuring that new challenges in the education system are addressed.
One of the significant innovations in the legislative activity of the Milli Majlis in recent years is the strengthening of social support mechanisms. Thus, with the relevant changes, children who have lost their parents, members of martyrs' families, and persons with special needs have been granted the right to have their tuition fees paid from the state budget. This step aims to strengthen social justice in education and increase access to education.
Furthermore, within the framework of the draft laws adopted for 2025, new positive provisions have been included, such as the payment of tuition fees by the state budget for individuals residing in the liberated territories and studying in vocational education institutions. This is of strategic importance for the socio-economic restoration of the regions and the equality of educational opportunities for young people”.
The clearer definition of student rights in education legislation is also among the seriously addressed areas:
“The changes adopted by the Milli Majlis reflect in law the regulation of rights for students at bachelor's and master's levels, such as changing their specialization and form of education, being expelled from an educational institution, or being reinstated. In addition, the normative basis for students' right to academic leave has been clarified in the legislation, which strengthens students' flexibility in the educational process and the protection of their rights.
There are also significant innovations in the field of international education. The new Law "On Education" adopted by the Milli Majlis in 2025 allows foreign natural and legal persons to establish higher education institutions in Azerbaijan and regulates the licensing processes of higher education institutions, which serves to expand international cooperation and educational exchange in the field of higher education in the country.
Additions to the legislation for the support of vocational and professional education strengthen the social protection mechanisms for individuals studying in vocational education institutions and modernize the procedures for the state payment of tuition fees. These types of changes ensure inclusivity at various levels of education, while also supporting the training of personnel in line with labor market demands”.
“The involvement of children in the educational process at an early age is also among the innovations envisaged in the legislation,” E. Akimova added.
“Within the framework of the draft changes under parliamentary discussion, initiatives have been put forward for the organization of preschool education in new forms – not only in preschool institutions but also in community-based and supplementary education centers, which can ensure the earlier and more flexible integration of children into the educational process.
Additional reforms planned for education legislation in the future cover several important directions. Firstly, a deeper modernization of the Law "On Education" is necessary, which entails the restructuring of educational content, management structures, and curricula. Currently, separate draft laws are being developed for general education and preschool education, aiming to structure the education system and form more efficient management mechanisms.
Raising the status of the teaching profession and new legal regulation of teacher certification mechanisms are also among the prospective reforms. These steps will stimulate the professional development of teachers and improve the quality of teaching. The digitalization of education legislation, the regulation of distance and innovative learning methods, as well as the formation of a normative framework related to artificial intelligence and new technologies, are also among the key issues to be discussed in the future.
The legislative outcomes achieved indicate that consistent steps are being taken to modernize Azerbaijan's education system, and the legislative framework is being expanded in areas such as social inclusivity, student rights, international integration, and innovation. Future reforms aim to further deepen this cooperation and enhance the functionality of the education system in line with modern requirements”.
