'We have earned respect and support of Azerbaijani people within ten years'

The Program of the Foundation on development of preschool educational facilities was held under the leadership of the first lady of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva on 24 February.

The event also discussed the current situation in preschool education facilities.

Speaking at the presentation, President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva noted that in recent years, economic growth in our country is manifested in all areas, attention to the development of education is rising, the resources allocated to this area are increased. It was emphasized that in the last ten years 2700 schools have been built or repaired countrywide, thereby improving the learning environment for more than 1 million of schoolchildren.

Stating that started in 2005 on the initiative of Heydar Aliyev Foundation the project ‘A new school for renewing Azerbaijan’ has been successfully implemented, Mehriban Aliyeva said that social responsibility of Azerbaijani companies and business entities involved to the implementation of major infrastructure projects, must rise, and business circles must be involved in social projects .

Noting that as part of the third regional development program all schools in need of repair will be reconstructed in the country and there will be no unrepaired school, Mehriban Aliyeva spoke also of the Foundation "Supporting children's homes and boarding schools" and stressed that among them 32 boarding schools and orphanages were reconstructed, excellent cooperation of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation with the private sector was established during the implementation of the project.

Noting that the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has launched a new project, Mehriban Aliyeva said:

"In our country there is a great need for the construction of kindergartens. Children spend half a day in the kindergarten.

The quality of education, the atmosphere there is important in preschool education facilities. In these institutions intellectual, physical and mental development of children begins, identifying their talents and abilities, health, establishing of contacts with people. Therefore, we must of course be even more attention to the educational sector".

The First Lady noted that Heydar Aliyev Foundation monitors the current situation in preschool education, which initially covered the capital, and will continue to be held throughout the country. The First Lady of Azerbaijan expressed the hope that the program of development of pre-schools, as well as other projects implemented by the Foundation, will be successfully implemented.

The results of the monitoring were presented later.

At the presentation detailed information was provided about pre-school education in the city of Baku. It was noted that 414 such institutions, of which 137 are in need of major repairs and 11 are in especially poor condition function in the capital city. Currently 133 preschool institutions are undergoing repair.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chairman of the State Committee on Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov praised the work of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in this direction. He said that in 83 IDP settlements there are 140 secondary schools for 28,000 pupils, 50 kindergartens. In the next two months it is expected to relocate 133 families residing resettled in kindergartens from Baku to new apartments.

Education Minister Mikail Jabbarov expressed gratitude to Heydar Aliyev Foundation led by Mehriban Aliyeva, for the new initiative. The Minister spoke about the role of preschool education in the formation of children, elimination of existing problems in these institutions .

Head of the Executive Power of Baku Hajibala Abutalibov said that currently 345 preschool educational institutions of Baku train and educate 36 977 children, 174 kindergartens are completely renovated, here there are all necessary conditions, 34 new kindergartens will be commissioned after repair this year. He noted that in addition to this, according to statistics, 157 349 children aged from one year to five years are in need of kindergartens. That is currently only 23.4 percent of children in this age group receive education at kindergartens. Thus, there is a need in 1105 kindergartens consisting of six groups.

Head of UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan Mark Hereward said that he is honored to join the initiative associated with the development program of preschool education. He stressed that early education is important, and investments made in this sphere give excellent results.

Summing up the presentation of the new program, the President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva said that all expressed thoughts and suggestions will be considered.

Calling education an important strategic area, Mehriban Aliyeva stressed that with the help of the Foundation, government agencies and the private sector are making great strides.

Noting the willingness of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation to cooperate, Mehriban Aliyeva said:

"In May this year, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary. During these years, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, of course, took an active part in various spheres of public life in our country. Many projects and programs are implemented. In short, our greatest achievement is that in ten years, we have earned the respect, the support of the Azerbaijani people. We do believe in it".

The president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation once again expressed confidence that this program, as well as other projects will be successfully implemented through joint efforts.