Overview of the General Education System

The development and evolution of the educational system in Azerbaijan have come through several historical stages, from Zoroastrian temple schools during Sasanian times to Islamic mektebs and madrasahs that predominantly focused on religious and language training. In the 19th century, Russian imperial reforms brought the establishment of secular schools and philanthropists such as Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev advocated for girls’ education and built one of Baku’s first secular Muslim girls’ schools. The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918–1920) prioritized national education leading to the establishment of Baku State University. Soviet rule brought mass literacy campaigns and institutions that standardized education throughout the republic. After gaining its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has implemented various constitutional and legislative reforms, adopted the Bologna Process and worked together with international organizations for quality, inclusivity, and infrastructure.

Azerbaijani is the official language in Azerbaijan and used public administration, media, law and education. Russian and English are also taught as foreign languages, but the main language of instruction in schools is Azerbaijani.

The Ministry of Science and Education is the central authority responsible for education policy, curriculum development, teacher training and accreditation of institutions at all levels of education. It also supervises national reforms, international cooperation and the adherence to global standards.

The structure for education in Azerbaijan is 4-5-2: four years of primary school, a five-year lower secondary and a two-year upper general secondary education. Upon completion of the 9th grade, students are awarded the Certificate of Lower Secondary Education (Ümumi orta təhsil haqqında şəhadətnamə), which allows progression to upper secondary or vocational education. Completion of Grade 11 and successful state attestation leads to the Certificate of General Secondary Education (Tam orta təhsil haqqında attestat), required for university admission. At the tertiary educational level, universities award the bachelor's degree, master's degree and Doctor of Philosophy with the highest-level education being the Doctor of Sciences in compliance with Bologna process and Azerbaijan National Qualifications Framework.