AZERBAIJAN PROFILE

Education in Azerbaijan

Elizabeth Toney TESL 539 Fall 2013

WHERE IS AZERBAIJAN? •  Azerbaijan is located on the

western edge of the Caspian sea between Iran and Russia

•  Although historically associated with Asia and the Middle East, Azerbaijan is now seen as closely tied to Europe

•  Once part of Russia, Azerbaijan is now an independent country

WHERE IS AZERBAIJAN? (CONTINUED)

•  The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku is located on the Caspian Sea

•  Highest Point: Baza-Dyuzi 14,698 ft. (4,480m)

•  Lowest Point: Caspian Sea -91.8 ft. (-28 m)

•  Bordering Countries: (5) Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Turkey

THE PEOPLE

LITERACY RATES

High literacy rates reflect high value of education

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

•  total population: 99.8% literate

•  male: 99.9% literate

•  female: 99.7% literate

(2010 census)

POVERTY RATES

Poverty rates are decreasing

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line (% of population)

•  7.6% 2011

•  9.1% 2010

•  10.9% 2009

•  13.2% 2008

•  15.8% 2007

HISTORY OF AZERBAIJAN

BEFORE 1991

•  Azerbaijan’s political and geographical boundaries have changed over the years

•  Other names include: Caucasian Albania and Arran

•  Shares a strong history with Iran and Turkey

SINCE 1991

•  Azerbaijan declared independence from Russia

•  Presidential Republic

•  President is the Head of State

•  Prime Minister is head of government

EDUCATION IN AZERBAIJAN

Level Years Age Compulsory

Preschool/ Kindergarten

2-3 Under 6 no

Primary 4 6-10 yes

Basic 5 10-15 yes

Secondary 2 15-17 no

Technical 3 15-18 no

•  Primary and Basic Education are compulsory

•  Secondary education is optional, but recommended

•  New push for early childhood education

•  Certificates/diplomas awarded:

Certificate of Complete Secondary Education

Certificate of Complete Secondary Specialized Education

HIGHER EDUCATION IN AZERBAIJAN Beyond Secondary Education, students wishing to further their education have several options:

Universities; Academies; Institutes; Colleges; Conservatoires

Three stages of higher education:

•  University level first stage: Bakalavr (Bachelor)

•  University level second stage: Magistr (Master)

•  University level third stage: Doctor

TEACHER PREPARATION/QUALITY •  Teachers are graduates of University

Master’s degree in five year program at university

Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University and the Ganja State Pedagogical University major teacher education schools

•  “Best School” and “Best Teacher” competitions designed to increase competitiveness between schools

Three phases- classroom assessments; comprehensive exams; presentations

Top 50 scoring schools/teachers awarded prizes

EDUCATION REFORM IN AZERBAIJAN •  Strong education system before 1991- under Soviet rule

•  Reduced funding resources have impacted access to materials

1993 education reform began:

•  A modified Latin alphabet adopted to replace Cryllic

•  Transition to a multi-level system of higher education began

•  Languages of instruction: Azerbaijani, Russian, English, Turkish

TYPICAL SCHOOLING •  School year is typically early

September to late May with a week vacation for New Years

•  Grades are given on a 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best

•  Teachers mostly lecture and students take notes

AZERBAIJANI ATTITUDES TOWARDS U.S. •  Ties between US and

Azerbaijan began in 1919 with President Wilson

•  In 1991 the US recognized Azerbaijan as an independent state

•  2012 report says 57% of Azerbaijanis approve of US leadership; 27% disapprove; 21% unsure Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld during

a joint press briefing with Minister of Defense Colonel General Safar Abiyev at the Presidential Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan. (2001)

IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES

•  Earliest identified immigrant in 1912

•  First major wave of immigrants in 1940’s and 1950’s after WWII US Citizens from Azerbaijan

When they came

Where they settled

•  New York – metropolitan areas

•  New Jersey – northern areas

•  Texas - Houston

•  California- Los Angeles and

San Francisco

•  Minnesota

Year US Citizens

2001 946

2002 1187

2003 886

2004 793

2005 904

2006 997

2007 606

2008 834

2009 1005

2010 1233

VALUE OF EDUCATION

•  Education is highly valued in Azerbaijan

•  1/3 of population is engaged in education (2.2 million), either as teachers or students

•  Government budget allocates 18% to education- more than to military

•  Among government workers, teachers are the most highly paid- more than doctors

WORKS CITED Books

• Nichol, J. (2011). Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia: Political developments and implications for U. S. interests. Derby:

DIANE Publishing (slide 11)

• Swietchowski, T. (1995). Russia and Azerbaijan: AA borderland in transition. New York: Columbia University Press. (slide 5)

Journal Articles

• Abdinov, A. (1996). Education on Azerbaijan: The challenges of transition. Azerbaijan International, 4 (4),16-18, 84. Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://www.azer.com/aiweb/categories/magazine/44_folder/44_articles/44_education.html (slide 9,10 )

Images

• British Council(2013). Retrieved September 8, 2013 from http://www.britishcouncil.az/en/english (slide 14 photo)

• Graphic Maps. Retrieved August, 21, 2013 from: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/az.htm

(slides 2,3,4 maps, flag)

• People of Azerbaijan. Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://www.travel-images.com/az-peop.html (slide 5 )United States

• Army Corps of Engineers Europe District(2010). Retrieved September 9, 2013 from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/

commons/f/fb/Barda_High_School_in_Azerbaijan.jpg (slide 11)

• United States Department of Defense(2001). Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Abiyev_-_Rumsfeld_

011215-D-2987S-066.jpg(slide 12)

WORKS CITED(CONTINUED) Internet

•  Azerbaijani American (Wikipedia). Retrieved September 9, 2013 from: http:/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijani_American (slide 13)

•  Azerbaijan United States relations (Wikipedia). Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan%E2%80%93United_States_relations (slide 12)

•  Culture crossing. Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://www.culturecrossing.net/ (slide 11)

•  European education dictionary. Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/azerco.htm (slide7, 8)

•  The Ministry of education of the Azerbaijan Republic. (2009). Retrieved September 19, 2013 from: http://www.edu.gov.az/view.php?lang=en&menu=302 (slide9)

WORKS CITED(CONTINUED) •  Ministry of education of the Azerbaijan Republic. (2009). Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://www.edu.gov.az/view.php?lang=en&menu=0(slide 6)

•  Pedagogical university of Cracow. (2008). Retrieved September 19,

2013 from: http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/eng/index.php?page=studies (slide 9)

•  Politics of Azerbaijan. (2013 ).Retrieved September 8, 2013 from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Azerbaijan#Political_history(slide 5)

•  The world bank. (2013). Retrieved September 8, 2013 from: http://data.worldbank.org/country/

azerbaijan (slide 5)

M.Ed. in TESL Program Nancy Cloud, Director

Educational Studies Department Rhode Island College, HBS 206 #5

600 Mt. Pleasant Avenue Providence, RI 02908 Phone (401) 456-8789

Fax (401) 456-8284 ncloud@ric.edu

The M.Ed. in TESL Program at Rhode Island College is Nationally Recognized by TESOL and NCATE