Autumn 2004 (12.3)
Page 15

Reader's Forum
Azeri Track Schools

As a young mother, one of the issues that I'm concerned about is the level of education in Azerbaijani schools-especially the Azeri track schools. When it was time for my son to start school last year, I really wanted to enroll him in the Azeri track. However, all my relatives, including my husband, warned me: "Are you crazy? Don't you realize what level of education they offer? They don't compare with the Russian-track schools."

Later I had the chance to see for myself, and I was so glad that I had listened to my relatives. But, what a shame! So many of the Azerbaijani textbooks are essentially Russian books that have been translated into Azeri. Can you imagine how ridiculous Russian-orientated texts sound in Azeri! In addition, the educational level of teachers and the way they treat students leaves so much to be desired.

Another concern has to do with the horrible stories that you hear about so many of our universities. Students and professors negotiate prices for the exams and 'zachets' (examination tests which are evaluated as "pass" or "non-pass", but with no grades).

When we were students-which really wasn't so long ago-it's true some students did pay for their exams; however, if we worked hard and mastered the information, we could get a good grade and not pay. Now, in too many situations, students complain that it really doesn't matter whether they study or not. They have to pay anyway.

Leyla Novruzova
Baku

From Azerbaijan International (12.3) Autumn 2004.
© Azerbaijan International 2004. All rights reserved.


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