Baku, August 8 – Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education has dismissed recent social media reports claiming that a 12-year schooling system will be introduced starting from the new academic year.
In a response to inquiries, the ministry clarified that the introduction of a 12th grade next year is not planned. It noted that general education in Azerbaijan already spans 12 years in total — one preparatory year plus 11 years of schooling — structured as follows:
Preschool stage: age 5
Stay Ahead with Azerbaijan.usGet exclusive translations, top stories, and analysis — straight to your inbox.Primary education: grades 1–4
General secondary education: grades 5–9
Full secondary education: grades 10–11
The ministry stressed that transitioning to a full 12-year system is a “complex, multi-faceted process.” The goal, it said, is not simply to add more years, but to create a high-quality educational environment fully aligned with international standards.
