Will Russian schools be closed in Azerbaijan? Three-year plan under discussion

In recent days, information about the possible closure of schools providing education in Russian in Azerbaijan has been widely discussed on the internet and in the media. Some online outlets, in particular the Oxu portal, reported that the government plans to gradually terminate education in Russian in the country over the course of three years.

According to Oxu, the main reason behind this decision is to strengthen the status of the Azerbaijani language as the state language and to integrate all social strata into a unified education system. That is, it is emphasized that the aim is to achieve national unity through education in a single language for all citizens.

The issue is that this information has neither been confirmed nor officially denied. The Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan has not made any open statements on such an important matter. However, officials merely reminded that any changes in education policy should be announced only through official sources.

Meanwhile, based on notifications circulated in school WhatsApp groups, journalists and analysts have taken this event very seriously. Different opinions have also emerged among parents and teachers.

It should be noted that there are currently 340 educational institutions in Azerbaijan providing instruction in Russian. Of these, 16 are schools that operate exclusively in Russian. A total of over 150,000 students receive education in Russian at these schools.

Changes are also expected in higher education institutions. According to Oxu, starting from the new academic year, teaching at universities is planned to be conducted only in Azerbaijani and English. This could place Russian-speaking students in a difficult situation, as they may be required to pass an Azerbaijani language exam by August 20.

However, the original source of such serious news raises questions. According to Meduza, the initial report on the closure of Russian-language schools was published by the satirical Telegram channel “Империя очень зла” ("Empire of Great Evil"). This channel is known for spreading fictional and ironic posts. The channel description even warns that its content may be fictional or sarcastic.

Nevertheless, Russia's RBC news agency cited a source within the Azerbaijani education system confirming the information about the potential school closures. This shows the need for a deeper analysis and serious approach to the issue.

Some analysts believe the decision may have emerged due to changes in geopolitical relations, particularly recent tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia. It is suggested that the country may be taking this step to protect national interests and ensure the primacy of the state language.

On social networks, this topic has become one of the most discussed. Some citizens support the decision, while others criticize it from the standpoint of human rights and linguistic freedom. Many parents express concern that their children’s future opportunities may be limited.

It is worth noting that the Russian language has been widely used in Azerbaijan for many years, especially since the Soviet era, in both education and administrative functions. Therefore, discontinuing education in Russian may have a serious impact not only on the education system but also on social, cultural, and economic aspects.

The current uncertainty has caused a degree of psychological unease and concern in Azerbaijani society. This increases the demand for clear and official information from the government.

In any case, any decision must be made openly and transparently, taking into account public opinion. Language policy, particularly in education, is directly tied to people’s way of life and their future. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!