In Azerbaijan, 17.67% of the population over the age of 25 have higher education. In neighboring Georgia, this indicator is almost twice as high: 33.69%. At the same time, from next year in Georgia, education in the state language will be completely free at all public universities.
What are the main reasons that can explain the low percentage of the population with higher education in Azerbaijan? How does the high cost of tuition affect these figures? Could free education in the state language at public universities increase the accessibility of education?
Speaking to Medianews.az on the topic, education expert Elchin Suleymanov stated that the number of people with higher education in Azerbaijan has been increasing in recent years by raising the planned enrollment quotas: “Currently, the number has reached 75,000. About 110-120 thousand people graduate from secondary schools each year. From that perspective, 75,000 is a good number. If we also add those admitted to colleges and vocational schools, we see that 75-80% of secondary school graduates continue their education.
Compared to neighboring Georgia, the lower number of people over the age of 25 with higher education can be explained. But if we compare the 18-25 age groups, Azerbaijan’s indicators do not lag behind other post-Soviet countries. Because in recent years, planned places are twice as many as before. The number of state-ordered places has also increased. Supported by the Student Credit Fund, opportunities are provided for those facing financial difficulties to receive education. An increase in the number of higher-educated people is beneficial. The more higher-educated people there are in a society, the more development there will be.”
The expert stressed that for better development, higher education programs must be updated and adapted to the demands of the labor market: “Programs should respond to modern global challenges so that graduates of higher education can find jobs. Currently, a significant portion of higher education graduates are officially employed. At the same time, there are those continuing their education abroad. Some start their own businesses and continue this way. Some graduates face difficulties in finding jobs. Regarding such individuals, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population has very effective programs. The State Employment Agency supports unemployed people in starting work or raising professional qualifications through vocational training courses and other means.
There are some people who either do not want to work or work informally. Individual initiatives are quite scarce; there is more demand for jobs from the government. Competition in the labor market is normal. Relevant state bodies should work collaboratively to support newly created jobs. Currently, many projects supporting employment are being implemented in the restoration of territories liberated from occupation. In energy, construction, and infrastructure sectors as well.”
For the topic, Medianews.az also reached out to sociologist Mail Yagub.
How does the increase in the number of higher-educated people affect the country’s long-term economic development? Along with the quality of education, how should a balance be established between its financial accessibility? What steps can the government take in this area?
Mail Yagub said that the government has two types of expenditures: “One is non-refundable expenditures. For example, military expenditures cannot be recovered. That money will not return to the state. The other is expenditures that return to the state budget, in other words, refundable expenditures. One of those expenditures is education.
Investment in education does not go to waste. We must know this. It is very important for the state to invest in higher education. Because the future, economy, and development of the state depend on education. Whoever is against education does not serve Azerbaijan. On the contrary, they harm it. Unfortunately, recently such trends can be observed in some statements. Supposedly, receiving education and reading books do not serve a person’s development. This is absolutely not true. We have no other way besides education.
Of course, education alone is not enough. Upbringing should accompany it. That is another matter. In any case, education ranks first. Look at the developed countries of the world. See the level of higher and secondary education there?
For this reason, the statistics showing that Azerbaijan lags behind Georgia in the percentage of higher-educated people over the age of 25 worries me as an Azerbaijani.
The advantage education brings to a country is different. We buy cars and mobile phones at high prices. Suppose the cost price of a phone is 50 AZN, but we buy it for 1,000 AZN. Why? Because of the technologies in the device. Then how did the countries that produce these devices learn that technology? Naturally, through education.
Therefore, special attention must definitely be paid to education. There must be social expenditures. It may be that a young person is very educated, but does not have money. If the state supports that young person, soon they can bring great benefit to Azerbaijan.”
Naile Gasimova,
Medianews.az
Note: The article was prepared on the topic “Preparation of scientific-popular, cultural-educational, educational programs” with the financial support of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and in accordance with the competition conditions.
