The Ministry of Education reported on its work in 2016 on May 1.

Participants in the event included Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov, parliamentarians, representatives of state bodies and private organizations, rectors of higher education institutions, heads of non-governmental organizations and the intelligentsia.

The event participants first watched a film, produced by Tahsil television, on projects implemented by the Ministry of Education in 2016.

Director of the Department of Education Development Programs of the Ministry of Education Emin Amrullayev made a presentation on the development rate in education sector.

Minister of Education Mikayil Jabbarov said the ministry`s reporting on its work has already become a tradition. He said such events play an important role in ensuring changes in education. The minister underlined the importance of studying public opinion, conducting discussions and building an atmosphere of public dialogue on the works done and future tasks in education sector. “Ensuring accountability and transparency in this process is the primary condition.”

Mikayil Jabbarov said the reforms conducted by the Ministry of Education in recent years aim to ensure public satisfaction and accessibility of education and to strengthen public control mechanisms. He said measures are also underway to improve governance in education. The minister said it is important that graduates have necessary competence, and noted the necessity of building closer cooperation in personnel training and preparation of long-term assessments in order to increase the value of graduates in the labour market and boost economic competitiveness.

Mikayil Jabbarov said recent diagnostic assessments and studies helped examine teachers` professional skills and better understand their needs. The minister also hailed the growing number of those who want to become a teacher and the fact that entrants who performed well at exams choose teaching as their profession.

Members of parliament and education experts pointed out positive changes in education sector in recent years. They also noted the importance of the event in terms of increasing public awareness.