"In the field of education, should work people having the appropriate specialty and experience"

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Question: The regional education departments were liquidated by the presidential decree. Can this step be considered successful from the point of view of the development of education?

Answer: First of all, I would like to note that the statement about “liquidation of regional education departments” does not correspond to reality. According to the Presidential Decree, in order to improve management in the field of education, regional education departments were created. In the new structure, the district or city departments of education will function in a new status under the name of the sregional Department of Education by district. Any steps to improve governance are in a positive direction. As you know, the heads of the district departments of education were appointed by the heads of the district executive authorities in agreement with the Ministry of Education in accordance with the "Regulations on local executive authorities." And after the new decree, all education officials will be appointed by the Ministry of Education (that is, from one center).

Question: As you said, regional education departments were created instead of district education departments. Wouldn't it be difficult from a management point of view?

Answer: As you know, reforms related to management structures have been going on for several years. Back in 2014, by order of President Ilham Aliyev, regional departments of the Ministry of Education were to be created, but the implementation of this order was temporarily suspended. From January 1, 2016, 15 territorial Settlement and Financial Centers began to function in the country.

The creation of 12 regional administrations at present seems to be an important decision, since the education sector should be managed from a single center - the Ministry of Education, which implements state educational policy and is responsible for it, and, conversely, will eliminate many of the difficulties that have existed until now (in particular, disagreements between local executive bodies and the Ministry).

Currently, the creation of 12 regional offices, I think, is an important decision for the management of the education sector from one center - the Ministry of Education, which implements and is responsible for state policy in the field of education, and will eliminate many difficulties (in particular, disagreements between local executive authorities and the Ministry).

Question: As you know, without the consent of the executive authorities, it was impossible in practice to make a decision on the appointment of a school director and other issues. Do you think that these steps will reduce the dependence of education departments on regional executive authorities?

Answer: After the competition of the Centralized Recruitment of Heads (DIC - Direktorların İşə Qəbulu - Hiring Headmasters) in 2017, the interference of local executive authorities in the appointment of school principals is decreasing every year. However, the direct dependence of the heads of district education departments in personnel matters from the heads of the executive branch often led to disagreements between the Territorial Settlement and Financial Departments (TSFD) and the Ministry of Education with local executive authorities. From now on, any interference of regional executive authorities in personnel issues in the field of education is excluded.

Question: Since 2011, state preschool educational institutions transferred to the subordination of executive authorities have been returned to the subordination of the Ministry of Education. Why were they taken from the ministry and then returned? What will be the result?

Answer: The transfer of preschool institutions to local executive authorities since 2011 has caused great damage over the past 10 years of this stage of education. There are enough problems both in general and vocational education, as well as in secondary specialties (colleges) and higher educational institutions. But, in preschool education, things are very bad. Although one of the goals and measures outlined in the State Strategy for the Development of Education, approved by Presidential Decree No. 13 of October 24, 2013, was to increase the coverage of children with preschool education to 90% by 2020. But, so far, we have been able to attract only 90% of 5-year-olds (preschool education in the Republic of Azerbaijan covers children aged 1 to 6), i.e. about 20%. There is a lot of work to be done in this area. At the same time, the intervention of the heads of local executive bodies in personnel, technical and other issues of preschool institutions will be impossible.

As a result, continuity and unity in education will be ensured, which is one of the main principles of state policy in the field of education. Educational institutions will be managed from a single center.

Question: In general, what steps should be taken to develop education? Is progress possible with such structural reforms? Or is it necessary to carry out personnel reform, fundamental reforms in education? Your suggestions?

Answer: First of all, the management of the education sector should be entrusted to people with specialization and experience in the field of education. Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been a tendency that no matter in which direction a person receives education abroad, he is appointed to leadership positions, as a result, the staff has to manage an area in which they do not have such an understanding. This trend is also present in other government agencies, and there are many in the education sector. People with education and experience in education should be brought directly into education. The networking factor in the appointment of personnel in the field of education should be eliminated, that is, personnel should be attracted not by classmates, classmates, relatives or acquaintances, but by professionalism and business qualities, successful results in professional activities.

First, the management of the field of education should be entrusted to persons with qualifications and experience in the field of education. It is a pity that in recent years such a tendency has developed, when a person received an education abroad, it does not matter in what direction, but he is appointed to leading positions in an area in which he does not understand anything. This tendency exists in other state institutions as well, and especially in the education system. Persons with education and work experience in this area should be directly involved in the educational sphere. The network factor should be eliminated when appointing personnel in the field of education. That is, the appointment of personnel should not be based on the principle - classmate, fellow student, relative or acquaintance, but according to professional and business qualities, successful results in the course of professional activity.

Structural reforms are aimed at improving governance. And to improve the quality, as I have already said, personnel with education and experience in this area should be nominated. We have made proposals many times, but, unfortunately, no one wants to listen to them. All attention is focused on spending huge amounts of money under the guise of implementing various projects. State control over this area is either weak or there is a serious abuse of the state's favor.

Structural and content at all levels of education in the country, in the literal sense, must be reformed. A regulatory and legal framework must be created, all activities must be carried out within the framework of laws and regulations. And here there must be someone who wants it. Cosmetic changes can never have a reform effect. Doors for specialists must be open. We believe that it will be so in the new year.

Question: What steps should be taken to develop education? Is progress possible with such structural reforms? Or is it necessary to carry out personnel reform, fundamental reforms in education? Your suggestions?

Answer: First of all, the management of the education system should be entrusted to people with the appropriate specialty and experience in this area of ​​education. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been a tendency when, regardless of the specialty in which a person was educated abroad, he is appointed to leadership positions. As a result, these cadres have to manage an area of ​​which they have no idea. This trend is also present in other state institutions, and in the field of education there are a great many. People with education and experience in education should be involved in work in the field of education. The networking factor in the appointment of personnel in the field of education should be eliminated, that is, personnel should not be attracted by classmates, classmates, relatives or acquaintances, but in accordance with professionalism and business qualities, successful results in professional activities.

Structural reforms are aimed at improving governance. As already mentioned, in order to improve quality, it is necessary to promote people who know what education is, and who have the appropriate education and experience. We have repeatedly come forward with our proposals, but, unfortunately, now no one wants to listen to the proposals. All attention is focused on the fact that under the pretext of implementing various projects to waste a lot of money. State control in this area is either weak or seriously misuses the goodwill of the state.

Structural and substantive reforms at all levels of education in the country in the full sense of the word must be carried out. A legal and regulatory framework must be in place and all actions must be carried out within the framework of laws and regulations. And you must be prepared for this. Cosmetic changes will never have a reforming effect. Doors must be open to professionals. We will assume that it will be so in the new year.

Kamran Mahmudov