The Milli Majlis (National Assembly) has approved a draft law in its first reading regarding the assessment of educators working in children's music, art, and painting schools through a new certification process.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that proposed amendments to the Labor Code and the Law "On Education" were brought forward for discussion during today's plenary session of the parliament in Baku.
Who will be affected by the new regulations?
According to the document, teachers working in the following state educational institutions under the system of the Ministry of Culture will be evaluated under the new rules:
- Children's music schools;
- Art schools;
- Painting schools.
The theoretical and practical knowledge of these educators will now be assessed based on certification according to specific regulations, rather than the previous attestation method.
Why is the attestation system being replaced?
It was noted during the session that under current legislation, the results of attestation are largely limited to documented protocols. The existing framework lacks tools such as written and objective tests to measure professional suitability, skills, and other proficiency indicators. Furthermore, the old system does not incorporate digital assessment tools or modern performance evaluation methodologies, which reduces overall objectivity.
The Ministry of Culture and parliamentary committees emphasized that the lack of clear legal mechanisms for attestation results often leads to labor dispute risks and judicial challenges. Additionally, the oral format of previous assessments was criticized for being subjective and creating unnecessary administrative and financial burdens on the state budget.
Impact on the quality of education in Azerbaijan
The adoption of this project aims to ensure the transparency and reliability of teacher evaluations through certification exams. This transition is expected to foster continuous professional development, as the certification process requires regular updates of specialized knowledge. By aligning the skills of educators with modern standards, Azerbaijan aims to increase the overall quality of specialized arts education across the country.
Following extensive discussions, the bill was put to a vote and passed in its first reading. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the government of Azerbaijan to modernize the educational infrastructure and ensure that the cultural sector meets international professional benchmarks.
