Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony to commission school No 6 in Baku after reconstruction

On 15 September, the Day of Knowledge, school No 6 in the Sabayil district of Baku was commissioned after reconstruction.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended the ceremony.

Teachers, pupils and parents warmly welcomed the head of state.

Schoolchildren presented President Ilham Aliyev with flowers.

Addressing the ceremony participants, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Dear children, dear teachers, dear parents!

I want to sincerely congratulate you all on the start of a new school year. It is a very momentous and historic day in the life of school No 6 today. We are celebrating the opening of a new building of the school. I am confident that the opening of this beautiful and majestic building will become an unforgettable event in the life of the school.

As you know, school No 6 has a great history, great traditions. People who studied at the school in different times have contributed to the development of Azerbaijan. But the previous building of the school has become outdated and the need emerged to construct a new one. This building has been constructed to the highest international standards, perhaps even beyond them. At the same time, the area of the school has more than doubled – from 6,500 to 13,500 square meters. The number of classrooms has also more than doubled. A new sports complex has been built. So the children going to this school will now become familiar with the conditions created here. There are excellent conditions for both children and teachers here.

School No 6 is very dear to me. I went to this school for 10 years. All of these surrounding areas are dear to me. It was in this neighborhood that I spent my childhood. And I am very glad that school No 6, which has a long history, is beginning a new life today.

For me, as for anyone else, school years are unforgettable. I am grateful to my teachers for the knowledge I have obtained in this school, and I always cherish these memories.

At the same time, all other schools are equally dear to me. That is why the construction of schools in Azerbaijan has assumed such large proportions in recent years. In recent years, we have built and renovated 2,161 schools. All schools now have computer classrooms. I believe that thanks to the development of a modern educational process, the level of education in Azerbaijan will further improve.

On the eve of the school year, 70 schools in Baku were fully renovated, school buildings were constructed. Nearly 60 schools were renovated in our districts. There is extensive creative work in schools throughout Baku – from remote settlements to the city center. I do hope that all schools in Baku will meet the highest standards over the next two years. Thus, our program on the construction and renovation of schools will be completed.

But no matter how important the issues of school construction and the strengthening of the material and technical infrastructure of the education sector might be, our work should not be limited to that. The main issue is the quality of education and knowledge provided to children. This is necessary for children, for us and for the state. In the present circumstances the fate of everyone is in his own hands.

There are excellent conditions in Azerbaijan. The political situation is very good and there is a very rapid economic development. New opportunities are emerging, new jobs are being created. About 900,000 jobs were created in the last seven years alone. We must strive to ensure that the people working in these jobs are professional. The basis of professionalism, knowledge, education and intelligence is laid in schools. Therefore, the education people receive in school plays a crucial role in human life. For every human being his future and fate are directly related to the way he treated school lessons.

I am fully confident and I can see that the Azerbaijani youth is keen on learning. Our young people want to become good specialists, good professionals. There may be a desire, but the quality of education must also comply with it. I hope that the innovations, modern approaches and reforms applied to education in Azerbaijan will lead to even better results in the near future. Because education is one of the most important and crucial factors for everyone and for the state. Children may often hear these words. But this is true for the future of man, for people to find their place in life, and education is above everything else. We must strive to successfully resolve the issues of school construction, complete the reforms ongoing in higher education institutions and improve the learning process, so that our youth and children become professionals and professionally and faithfully serve the Azerbaijan state in the future.

The future and the present of each country and each state depend on their intellectual capacity. If we turn to the experience of developed countries, we can see that there is more rapid development in countries where there is technological progress, where great investments are made in education, science and intellectual products. Azerbaijan has chosen this path. We have great hopes for the future because we know that the future of Azerbaijan will be even better than the present. Today, Azerbaijan has managed to present itself globally as a rapidly and successfully developing nation. But in the future the attention to be paid to science, education, new technologies, as well as the forthcoming programs, will put Azerbaijan on a par with developed countries. To become a developed country, it is not enough to have an excellent infrastructure and buildings. In order to become a developed country, it is necessary to have a high intellectual potential of society. Specific programs addressing these issues have been developed and are being implemented. I am confident that the Azerbaijani youths, the kids going into the first grade today will become worthy citizens of our Motherland in the future, demonstrate their professionalism and have their say in the development of our country.

In the future, our country will be governed by our youth. It is up to them how our country will develop. The road and the strategic course we have chosen have proved to be successful. In the future it will be young people who will have to determine how our country will develop and what path it will take.

On this wonderful day, the start of a new school year, I am greeting all Azerbaijani youth. My greetings to all the boys and girls going to school today! I wish you continued success. I promise that state attention and care for education in Azerbaijan will always be high.

My greetings to all of you again, and I wish you success! Thank you.

XXX

The school’s history teacher, Elmin Imanov, thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the fact that school No 6 has been renovated in a short period of time and in line with the highest standards, and for the overall attention being paid to education.

Speaking on behalf of parents, Sevda Katibli thanked the head of state for the profound changes in the education system. She indicated that the improvements in the sphere of education have been achieved thanks to the good will and determination of President Ilham Aliyev and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and ISESCO, MP Mehriban Aliyeva.

Then the first bell of the new school year was rung.

The head of state had a picture taken with pupils and had a casual discussion with them.

Then President Ilham Aliyev cut a ribbon symbolizing the opening of the school after reconstruction.

Outside the school, the head of state met and talked to the teachers who had taught him at the school. The teachers shared their recollections and said they were attentively and proudly following the activities of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who has finished school No 6 himself.

The head of state had a picture taken with the teachers.

President Ilham Aliyev then reviewed the school after reconstruction.

It was indicated that the 6-storey school has ideal opportunities for the organization of lessons in line with modern requirements. After the reconstruction, the school has been expanded to cover 13,000 square meters. The school is designed for 2,270 pupils and there are 1,690 children receiving education there now. A total of 110 teachers are handling the education process.

There is a bust of great leader Heydar Aliyev in the lobby of the school. There is a photo stand reflecting the care and attention of the nationwide leader, President Ilham Aliyev and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva, to education.

President Ilham Aliyev enquired about the learning process in classrooms. First, the head of state visited the class of first graders who had just crossed the threshold of the school for the first time, and congratulated the children on a new school year. This year, the school’s first grade will have 230 pupils.

The entire infrastructure of the school has been updated and a special security system installed. The courtyard, corridors and classrooms of the school are monitored by 14 external and 97 internal cameras.

On the second floor of the school, there is a museum of Heydar Aliyev. During familiarization with the museum the head of state was informed that there is a collection of various publications about nationwide leader Heydar Aliyev, copies of certificates, diplomas and letters of commendation of the great leader in the museum. There are also videos and pictures featuring the life and activities of the brilliant personality. Great leader Heydar Aliyev has visited school No 6 twice: in 1977, when his son, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, was finishing the school, and on 1 September 2001.

The museum of Heydar Aliyev also has a memory book. The epigraph of the book is a statement by the nationwide leader that “School No 6 will always be one of Azerbaijan’s exemplary national schools.”

In the conference hall of the school, President Ilham Aliyev watched a film about the international program IP. Established in Geneva in 1968, the program will be applied at school No 6 starting from this year. Most importantly, the pupils of the school will be using this unique opportunity free of charge. This year, a diploma program will be applied for the pupils of the school’s 9th and 10th grades. Under the program, teaching of all subjects is conducted only in English. Progress of pupils is evaluated by both domestic and foreign specialists. A pupil scoring 45 points automatically gets the opportunity to enter such prestigious schools as Oxford and Cambridge. The IP diploma is recognized in 2,544 universities worldwide. Due to the application of this program at school No 6, its teachers have been trained in Hamburg and Zurich.

Another innovation introduced at the school is the creation of specialized classes for pupils of the 10th and 11th grades. Currently, this pilot program is applied at five schools in Baku.

The head of state also reviewed the teachers’ room. Another innovation here is that it is possible to organize a direct link with many schools of Baku and Sumgayit to conduct press briefings and video conferences and to share experience.

All classrooms of the school are equipped with computers and projectors, while many classrooms have smart boards. These interactive boards have been installed using the latest technologies.

The school has three language laboratories. These 24-seat classrooms will be teaching English and German.

Quality and timely nutrition of pupils will be provided by a 186-seat canteen and a cooking area fitted with modern equipment.

The President also examined the school’s music classroom. The national anthem of Azerbaijan was performed here.

The school has subject-specific classrooms meeting modern standards and fitted with the latest equipment.

All classrooms have modern equipment and visual aids.

President Ilham Aliyev visited a computer classroom. It was noted that there are four such classrooms at the disposal of pupils. The school also has a Wi-Fi network.

The President examined the chemistry classroom and laboratory that have all the facilities for conducting experiments, and the biology classroom also equipped with the necessary visual aids.

The sixth floor of the school is decorated with special taste. The “Winter Garden” section available here is intended for cultural events and meetings.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the spacious 224-seat assembly hall.

The school has subject-specific classrooms meeting modern standards and fitted with the latest equipment.

All classrooms have modern equipment and visual aids.

President Ilham Aliyev visited a computer classroom. It was noted that there are four such classrooms at the disposal of pupils. The school also has a Wi-Fi network.

The President examined the chemistry classroom and laboratory that have all the facilities for conducting experiments, and the biology classroom also equipped with the necessary visual aids.

The sixth floor of the school is decorated with special taste. The “Winter Garden” section available here is intended for cultural events and meetings.

President Ilham Aliyev reviewed the spacious 224-seat assembly hall.

The President also visited the museum of the school.

The materials displayed at the museum show again that this is one of the best schools in Baku. The school has contributed to the education of the personalities who have done a lot for the development of Azerbaijan. There are stands reflecting the achievements of the school, sections with the photos of the school’s principals, honorary graduates and teachers who have received different awards. The museum also has a copy of the certificate of the President of Azerbaijan.

The principal of the school, Gulshan Orujova, said there is a Club of honorary graduates at the school and presented the head of state with a badge of this club.

President Ilham Aliyev left his signature on the school’s plaque.

The head of state watched video footage documenting the reconstruction of the school.

The school also has a rich library with more than 6,000 volumes of books. An 80-seat reading room has been provided for the disposal of pupils.

After the reconstruction, the school consists of two buildings, one of which is intended for sports. There is a new tunnel 6 meters wide and 40 meters long, leading to the sports building. The several gyms equipped with various exercise machines can host competitions in various sports.

At the entrance to the school, there is an information board which has been established for the first time in Azerbaijan. Considering the reconstruction and the large area of the school, the board provides a plan of the school, so that people coming here could quickly find what they are looking for.

Overall, there are 86 classrooms in the school.

Thus, on the eve of a new school year, yet another educational institution has been reconstructed, equipped in accordance with modern requirements and opened in our country.