PM Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is one of a few states in the world in which multiculturalism is a state policy. Azerbaijan’s
approach to protection of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities
within the scope of its multiculturalism policy. Therefore, protection of national minorities, their
ethnic cultural values is a priority for the state. Article 21 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan says
Azerbaijan Republic ensures free use of and development of other languages spoken by the people.
Article 45 of the Constitution says that everyone has the right to use his or her mother tongue;
everyone has the right to be educated, carry out creative activity in any language he desires; nobody
may be deprived of rights to use his or her mother tongue. Furthermore, pursuant to the 6th article
of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Education, Azerbaijani language is a state language.
However, in special cases, the process of education in school can be in other languages within the
condition of some mandatory subjects. In accordance with the noted articles of the Constitution and
the law on education, the Azerbaijani government has created for minorities appropriate and
adequate opportunities to learn their mother tongue, to get education in their native languages. Here
are some statistics related to schools in languages of national minorities. There are about 300
comprehensive Russian schools, 10 Georgian schools, 1 Hebrew school, in Lezgin language, there are
above 100 schools, in Talysh language, there are 225 schools, in Avar, 22, in Tsakhur, 5 schools, in Udi
language, 3 schools, in Kurdish, 2 schools, and 1 in Khinalug language. Thus, in 367 schools, about
35,000 people belonging to national minorities learn their native language. Teaching methodology of
national minority language for primary school children is included in the curriculum of colleges that
function in regions densely populated by national minorities to meet demands for national minority
teachers. The government also cares to provide schools with teaching materials in languages of
national minorities. As we see, the Azerbaijani government created necessary opportunities for
national minorities to get education in their native language, which is in its turn leads to their
integration into society and promote their active participation in public life. Thank you.