However, it is unfortunate that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a completely different situation from the traditional one across the world, making it necessary for states to reconsider their socio-economic priorities. Like other countries in the world, Azerbaijan has encountered many problems caused by the pandemic in the education system in addition to the economic sphere. The only difference is that problems existing in other areas can be reversed in some way; nevertheless, since education is a very dynamic and irreversible field, it is possible that any shortcomings in children’s education could lead to unrepairable consequences in the future.
I would like to note that at the initial stage of the pandemic, the education system of our country could not adequately respond to the pandemic, but simply followed the process. Because there were expectations that the closure of educational institutions will take a short time and will continue to operate soon. However, after it became clear that the pandemic would be accompanied by mass losses and would continue for a long time, necessary measures were taken to ensure the continuity of education.
Initially, required work was carried out to organize tele-lessons at the level of general education, which is the widest in scope. For this purpose, a team of highly-qualified teachers was identified in a short period of time, technical equipment issues were resolved, and the filming of tele-lessons began. The choice of television for the broadcast of the lessons was not accidental. Thus, in all the regions of the country, especially in remote villages, it was likely that some students would not be able to take advantage of lessons due to the difficulties in providing them with uninterrupted and high-speed internet access. Classes began to be broadcasted through television, the coverage and accessibility of education were restored, and 1.6 million pupils studying in general education institutions were involved. All televised lessons were then posted on the electronic portal, the official Facebook page, and the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Education, which created additional opportunities for pupils. In addition to the tele-lessons, there were 2 hours of interactive programs each week dedicated to the preparation of pupils’ homework assignments. As a logical continuation of all this work conducted, the Virtual School project – the country’s largest national online platform – was launched. The primary purpose of the project was to guarantee the interactivity of television broadcasts and to broaden distant learning opportunities in general. Furthermore, various traditional competitions and contests were organized in virtual and online formats due to the coronavirus.
During the pandemic, Azerbaijan also managed to implement measures related to the sustainability of preschool education. Thus, within the framework of the project “Development of community-based preschool education”, tele-lessons called “Play and learn” were launched with the financial support of UNICEF. Tele-lessons were broadcasted on the local TV channel two days a week for preschool children, during which children were given theoretical information on the topics, as well as practical lessons for their development.
Along with the pandemic, the 44-day military operation began in 2020 as a result of the attack of the Armenian Armed Forces to liberate our occupied lands also damaged the education system of our country and created extra opportunities for “learning poverty”. Thus, 444 schools were closed near the frontline due to the war. Because of the limited availability of the internet, it was not possible for students in those schools to continue their classes online. At that time, people were mainly interested in learning information about the war on television; therefore, tele-lessons were also not available to pupils.
Currently, necessary measures have been planned and are being implemented in our country to eliminate learning poverty. “The Action Plan for 2020-2025 on the Implementation of the Strategy for Children” approved in 2020 by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is aimed at ensuring equality of children’s access to education, social and other services in special emergency situations such as pandemics; establishing mechanisms to improve the existing legal framework on inclusive education to ensure equal access of children to education; guaranteeing the educational, health and social rights of refugees, asylum seekers, as well as foreigners and stateless persons under the age of 18; and preventing school dropouts.
Moreover, a project called “Individual mentoring services in the framework of providing support to pupils in accordance with their learning needs and ensuring the professional development of educators” is being implemented in our country jointly with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The main goal of the project is to identify the needs of pupils who have serious learning gaps as a consequence of the pandemic, to address these needs, and to ensure the professional development of educators working in general education institutions to promote the proper organization of lessons both during and after the pandemic. For this purpose, according to the results of the national assessment survey, 842 pupils from 6 districts and 20 schools with the lowest results were supported in accordance with their learning needs in Azerbaijani language and mathematics.
The pandemic has had a profound effect on people’s lifestyles, behaviors, and activities. For this reason, the pandemic and post-pandemic periods have brought a number of challenges for the current education system to reconsider. One of the most important directions is the wider application of distance learning experience at all the levels of education, especially in higher education; the solution of the problems such as technological equipment and quality internet connection; the expansion of the scope of activities aimed at forming and improving digital skills of both pupils and educators.