By AZE.US
Around 90,000 applicants compete for approximately 60,000 university places in Azerbaijan, meaning roughly one in three cannot secure admission even if every available seat is filled, Science and Education Minister Emin Amrullayev said.
Speaking on İctimai TV, Amrullayev described the intense competition for higher education as a major source of pressure on students, parents and the country’s school system.
“Azerbaijan has 60,000 places and 90,000 applicants,” the minister explained. Regardless of whether the entrance examination is made easier or more difficult, only 60,000 can be admitted and approximately 30,000 will remain without a university place.
Capacity Has Doubled, but Competition Remains
According to Amrullayev, Azerbaijani universities previously admitted only about 30,000 students annually. At that time, approximately 60,000 applicants were unable to enter higher education.
The number of available places has since roughly doubled to 60,000, significantly expanding access. Demand, however, continues to exceed capacity by about 30,000 applicants.
The result is an intense admissions contest that shapes much of a student’s final years at school.
Schools Focused on Entrance Examinations
Amrullayev said obtaining a university degree has become the dominant educational goal for a large part of Azerbaijani society.
This emphasis can push the broader purposes of education into the background, turning secondary school into preparation for university entrance examinations.
Competition also increases demand for private tutors, placing an additional financial burden on families. Students whose parents can afford extensive private preparation may have an advantage over those who depend entirely on public schools.
The minister argued that the underlying problem is not limited to the difficulty of the examination or the number of university places. It is also linked to a widespread belief that higher education is the only acceptable path for a young person.
State-Funded Preparation
The Science and Education Ministry views expanded specialized instruction and a revised upper-secondary school model as possible ways to reduce inequality in preparation.
The objective is to provide students seeking higher education with stronger, state-funded preparation inside public schools, reducing their dependence on private tutors.
Amrullayev nevertheless cautioned that an education system should not be built exclusively around university admission. Schools must also develop practical skills and prepare young people for employment and other educational paths.
AZE.US