According to the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.00 of November 12, 1995), the state assists in developing education, supervises the education system, and establishes minimum educational standards. The state education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan is secular. Every citizen has the right to education, and the state ensures the right to free, compulsory, general secondary education. The state ensures that talented individuals can pursue their education regardless of their financial circumstances. Everyone has the right to be raised and educated in the language of their choice. The state guarantees everyone the equality of rights and freedoms, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, origin, property status, service position, beliefs, membership in political parties, trade unions and other public associations. It is prohibited to restrict the rights and freedoms of individuals based on race, ethnicity, religion, language, sex, origin, beliefs, or political or social affiliation.
By the Law On Education (No.833-IIIQ of June 19, 2009) the state ensures the creation of appropriate conditions for every citizen to receive education and does not allow the deprivation of any stage, level, or form of education; guarantees the opportunity to receive education for every citizen and the non-discrimination of all citizens, regardless of gender, race, language, religion, political beliefs, ethnic affiliation, social status, origin, or health conditions; irrespective of the form of ownership, ensures equal opportunities for men and women in recruitment, appointment or selection to positions, labour incentives, admission to educational institutions, provision of scholarships to students, selection of specialities, assessment of the knowledge, employment of graduates, a continuation of education at the next level, improvement of qualifications, and other issues in the field of education; ensures that talented individuals continue their education, regardless of their financial situation, and creates conditions for those needing social protection to receive education.
The language of instruction in the Republic of Azerbaijan’s educational institutions is the state language, Azerbaijani. Taking into account the wishes of citizens and founders of educational institutions, following international treaties to which the Republic of Azerbaijan is a party or an agreement with a body determined by the relevant executive authority, education in educational institutions may be conducted in other languages based on corresponding state educational standards or internationally accredited educational programs. Educational institutions in languages other than Azerbaijani must teach the Azerbaijani language, literature, history, and geography; for students with limited knowledge of the language of instruction, preparatory classes and courses are organised according to the procedure determined by the relevant executive authority and educational programs.
Intercultural education is part of the secondary school and university curricula; shared national values and identity, promotion of tolerance, multilingualism, equality, world cultures, religions, traditions, etc., are delivered at all levels of education within humanitarian disciplines, the subject “Azerbaijani Multiculturalism” is included in the curricula of higher education institutions. Education is conducted in 4,086 schools in Azerbaijani, 16 schools in Russian, and six in Georgian. Education in 312 schools is Azerbaijani-Russian, in 9 schools is Azerbaijani-Russian-English, in 3 schools are Azerbaijani-Georgian, in 1 school is Azerbaijani-Russian-Georgian languages. 0.2% of students receive education in other languages (English, Turkish, French). English is taught as a foreign language in 3,745 schools, Russian in 3,090, French in 344, German in 233, Arabic in 16, and Persian in 8. Minority languages, such as Lezgi, Talysh, Hebrew, Avar, Sahur, Udin, Kurdish, and Khinalig, are taught in secondary schools in some areas of the country. For example, the Lezgi language is taught in 101 schools, the Talysh language in 252 schools, the Avar language in 19 schools, the Sahur language in 4 schools, the Udin language in 3 schools, and Kurdish, Khinalig, and Hebrew in 1 school each. In total, 29,942 students belonging to national minorities learn their native language in schools.
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