New Education Reforms: What Will Change?

The Ministry of Education has unveiled its new reform package for 2026. The changes encompass both secondary and higher education. These reforms are considered the most sweeping education overhaul of the past decade and aim to bring the country's education system in line with modern standards. According to the Ministry, the core objective is to strengthen Azerbaijan's human capital and prepare the country for the transition to a knowledge-based economy.

Key changes

• Digital education platform — all schools will be connected to a unified online system
• STEM focus — new curricula for mathematics and technology subjects
• Teacher training — professional development programs for educators are expanding
• Foreign language instruction — a second foreign language will become mandatory in schools
• Vocational education — new vocational-technical schools will open
• Textbook reform — all textbooks will be redesigned

Digital education platform

The new digital education platform is one of the central pillars of the reforms. It will unite all schools, teachers, students, and parents across the country within a single digital ecosystem. Key features of the platform include:

• Online learning materials — video lessons, interactive assignments, and supplementary resources will be available for every subject. Students will be able to access lessons anytime, anywhere.
• Assessment system — teachers will be able to track student performance in real time. Parents will also be able to view their children's academic results through the platform.
• AI-driven personalized learning — the platform will analyze each student's strengths and weaknesses and generate an individualized learning plan. This will allow every student to progress at their own pace.
• Accessibility — the platform will be accessible from computers, tablets, and smartphones. An offline mode has also been planned for regions with limited internet infrastructure.

The first phase of the platform will be piloted in Baku and Sumgayit schools starting September 2026. Nationwide rollout is planned by the end of 2027.

Strengthening STEM education

New curricula have been developed for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects. These curricula align with international standards and emphasize practical application. The main innovations include:

• Math lessons will place greater emphasis on solving real-world problems
• The share of laboratory work in physics and chemistry classes will increase
• Computer science will begin in the 3rd grade (previously starting in the 5th)
• Programming fundamentals will be taught from the 5th grade onward
• Robotics clubs will be established in all schools

The Ministry has trained over 200 new teachers in this field, who will be deployed to schools starting the 2026-2027 academic year. Additionally, partnerships with technology companies will ensure that schools receive modern equipment.

Teacher training and professional development

One of the most vital components of the reforms is teachers' professional growth. The Ministry has announced the following programs:

• Mandatory professional development — every teacher must complete a minimum of 72 hours of professional development courses per year. These will be offered in both online and in-person formats.
• International exchange program — 500 teachers per year will be sent to countries with leading education systems, including Finland, South Korea, and Singapore.
• Digital skills — all teachers will complete a certification program in digital technologies.
• Salary increase — a 20 percent raise in teacher salaries has been planned. The increase will apply to teachers who successfully complete professional development programs.
• Mentorship system — experienced teachers will mentor younger colleagues, accelerating their professional development.

Foreign language instruction

Making a second foreign language mandatory is one of the most debated provisions of the reforms. Currently, schools teach only one foreign language, typically English. Under the new reform, students will begin learning a second foreign language from the 6th grade. Proposed languages include Russian, German, French, Arabic, Turkish, and Chinese.

This step will broaden students' worldview and better prepare them for a globalized world. However, critics note that a shortage of language teachers could complicate the reform's implementation.

Changes in higher education

International accreditation processes at universities will be accelerated. In addition, student exchange programs will be expanded. Other key changes in higher education include:

• Full alignment with the Bologna system — all universities will transition to a credit system. This will make it easier for students to transfer to foreign universities.
• Research funding — university research budgets will be doubled. Priority areas will include artificial intelligence, green energy, and biotechnology.
• Industry-university partnerships — dual education programs will be established with companies. Students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
• Online education — universities will offer a portion of their programs in an online format. This will enable students in regional areas to access programs at Baku-based universities.

Education financing

Additional state budget funds have been allocated to finance the reforms. Education spending will reach 4.5 percent of GDP, which is 0.8 percentage points higher than the previous level. Negotiations are also underway with the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, with 300 million dollars in concessional loans expected to be secured.

Expectations and criticisms

The Minister of Education has stated that full implementation of the reforms will be completed by 2028. Experts believe these changes could bring Azerbaijan's education system on par with regional leaders.

However, some experts express concern about the pace of reforms. They argue that infrastructure and staff preparation may not keep up with the speed of the changes. In particular, the weak internet infrastructure in rural areas could hinder the effective deployment of the digital education platform.

Despite this, the vast majority of parents and the public view the reforms positively. According to independent surveys, 78 percent of parents support the reforms and believe their children will receive a higher quality education.

Rebuilding vocational education

A critical component of the reform package is the restructuring of vocational education. The Ministry plans to open 15 new vocational-technical schools between 2026 and 2028. These schools will train skilled workers in specializations aligned with labor market demand. Priority fields include information technology, green energy, hospitality and tourism, medical technologies, and agricultural technologies.

Strengthening vocational education is especially significant for young people in regional areas. For those who do not enter university or lack the means to pursue higher education, vocational-technical schools will provide a real pathway to quality employment. Inspired by the German dual education model, students will spend half the week in school and the other half gaining hands-on experience at enterprises.

Inclusive education

The reforms also place special emphasis on inclusive education. Plans call for improving physical infrastructure at schools for children with disabilities, training specialized educators, and developing individualized teaching plans. The goal is for all public schools to be fully accessible to students with disabilities by 2028.

International cooperation

A significant component of the education reforms is the expansion of international cooperation. Agreements have been signed with education leaders such as Finland, Estonia, Singapore, and South Korea. Within this cooperation framework, knowledge sharing will take place in curriculum development, teacher exchange, technological solutions, and assessment methodology. This experience will enrich Azerbaijan's education system with global best practices.