Sabina Aliyeva, a prominent lawyer, philanthropist, and director of an educational center, has launched a new social media initiative aimed at fostering open discussion on educational issues and strengthening public oversight in Azerbaijan.
The project, titled "Light Source" (Işıq mənbəyi), is designed to serve as a comprehensive platform for students, parents, and educators to share their experiences, insights, and the various challenges they encounter within the national education system. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between the public and educational authorities by bringing grassroots issues to the forefront of digital discourse.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Sabina Aliyeva detailed the project's objectives in an exclusive interview, highlighting specific systemic gaps in schools and the recurring difficulties faced by parents. During the discussion, she emphasized that while President Ilham Aliyev and the Minister of Science and Education, Emin Amrullayev, are dedicated to implementing robust reforms and ensuring children receive high-quality knowledge, certain administrative hurdles remain at the local level.
"We live in a legal and democratic state where everyone is equal before the law," Aliyeva stated. She noted that some school officials mistakenly believe their personal connections grant them impunity, leading to instances where they ignore complaints or treat parents with indifference. She praised the Ministry of Science and Education for its responsiveness to hotline complaints but noted that many individuals remain hesitant to speak out publicly due to fear of social repercussions. "The Minister cannot be in every institution or see every social media post personally, which is why people can now use our platform to voice their concerns," she added.
Sharing a personal anecdote regarding her daughter's experience at School No. 242, Aliyeva pointed out issues ranging from a lack of encouragement for high-achieving students to the broader problem of school bullying. She also addressed the financial pressures placed on parents, noting that despite Minister Emin Amrullayev's efforts to curb illegal fund-gathering, some parents continue to initiate unofficial collections for teacher gifts, creating social exclusion for those who do not participate.
This initiative comes at a time when Azerbaijan is heavily investing in its educational infrastructure as part of the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development." The government has prioritized the modernization of schools and the integration of digital technologies to ensure the country's human capital meets international standards. By introducing platforms like "Light Source," civil society members like Aliyeva aim to support these state-led reforms through increased transparency and community-led accountability.
