The number of places in state preschool education institutions has increased from 106,000 to 112,000.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Eshgi Baghirov, director of the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, made the announcement at a September conference of education workers.
He said expanding access to preschool education was among the main priorities:
"The first direction in expanding access to preschool education is to use the capacity of existing state kindergartens more efficiently. Through renovation and improved provision of equipment, the number of places in state preschool education institutions has increased from 106,000 to 112,000."
Baghirov also said that improving the professional skills of preschool teachers remained a focus:
"Our main goals in preschool education directly stem from the 2022–2026 socioeconomic development strategy. We have two main directions: first, expanding access to preschool education; and second, improving the professional skills of preschool teachers and introducing a certification mechanism. Our approach to increasing coverage is not to apply the same model everywhere in the country. We are using several models in parallel to meet different needs."
Preschool education is an important stage in children's early development and preparation for primary school. Expanding capacity through renovated and better-equipped state kindergartens is intended to provide more families across Azerbaijan with access to early education services.
