Baku: Azerbaijan, as an independent state, continues to shape its domestic and foreign policy based on strategic priorities and mutual respect with all countries. Among its primary goals is the preservation of national-spiritual and moral values, customs, traditions, and the mother tongue. These efforts are seen as essential to maintaining national identity.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the legacy of the Soviet era has left a strong imprint of the Russian language in Azerbaijan. During the USSR period, the Russian language was promoted extensively, becoming entwined with the national consciousness and considered a hallmark of development. Despite Azerbaijan's independence, the influence of Russian persists, exemplified by the existence of over 300 Russian-language schools in the nation.
The presence of such a significant number of Russian-language schools raises questions about their necessity. There is debate over whether higher education institutions like the Slavic University can adequately train the thousands of teachers required for these schools. Additionally, there is concern about whether the educational resources and the quality of education in these schools meet necessary standards.
The discourse is not advocating for the complete closure of Russian-language schools. It acknowledges the existence of a Russian-speaking community and diaspora in Azerbaijan. The argument is that the number of schools should reflect the actual demand and the size of the Russian community. The allocation of state funds for these schools is also under scrutiny, especially given that statistical data suggests graduates from Russian-language schools tend to underperform compared to their Azerbaijani counterparts in university admissions.
In light of this, the comparison is drawn with the situation in Russia, where measures are being taken to preserve the Russian language. Questions are raised about the availability of Azerbaijani-language schools for the Azerbaijani diaspora in Russia. If Russia does not provide adequate educational opportunities in the Azerbaijani language, the justification for maintaining numerous Russian-language schools in Azerbaijan becomes questionable.
The argument concludes by suggesting that Russian could be taught as a foreign language, similar to English and other languages, through language courses and training centers. This approach would reduce the burden on the state budget by eliminating the need for maintaining hundreds of schools and employing thousands of specialists for Russian-language education.