Azerbaijani students mark Knowledge Day

/By AzerNews/

By Vusala Abbasova

Most of us have heard the phrase “knowledge is power” and today a new generation willfully accepts what it means and how to translate it into improving their lives in a practical way.

September 15 marks Knowledge Day, celebrated in Azerbaijan as the first day of the academic year.

Education is free and obligatory in Azerbaijan and is specified as a constitutional right of each citizen.

This day, dedicated to the beginning of a new year of academic life, is a joyful day for children, their families, and teachers.

Today, more than 150,000 children – up from 138,000 last year – will start their school lives with their very first class, according to the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education.

Generally, over 1.370 million students will study in Azerbaijani schools in the new academic year.

The Ministry will provide all Azerbaijani schools with free, mostly new, learning aids.

A total of 4,095,370 textbooks of 141 titles as well as teacher guides have been printed for the new 2015-2016 academic year.

Moreover, the ministry has updated the curriculums for eight school grades and will therefore provide 70 new types of textbooks and guides for teachers.

Children will have new foreign language books, including textbooks on German and Arabic for fifth grade students as well as seventh grade French textbooks.

At the same time, textbooks have been translated for several schools providing education in the Georgian language in the country's Gakh, Zagatala, and Balakan regions.

School uniforms in the country are produced in accordance with international standards (GOST 25294-2003), meeting technical specifications.

Currently, there are only two certified companies producing school uniforms in Azerbaijan.

September 15 is largely marked as “A day of Knowledge “in Azerbaijan in accordance with a presidential decree dated 2004.

Education in the country begins at the age of six years and is comprised of three levels -- primary, general secondary, and full secondary education.

Gifted children under the age of six are allowed to start their education after passing a relevant test administered by a special commission.

The general secondary school education in the country is available at schools of general education, special purpose schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, primary and secondary vocational schools, as well as schools established under higher educational institutions.

Recently, the government of Azerbaijan started paying more attention newer types of schools that provide better preparation for studying at the university level.