The “Rules for the certification of educators working in state children’s music, art, painting schools, and other similar state educational institutions” have been approved.
“Elchi” reports that the Cabinet of Ministers has made a decision regarding this.
According to the rules, educators with higher and secondary specialized education engaged in pedagogical activities in educational institutions must undergo free certification once every 5 years to verify their professional level and professional suitability. It is unacceptable to ask persons involved in certification questions that are not directly related to their field of activity, as well as to evaluate them based on their political views and religious beliefs.
The following educators are exempt from certification:
– pregnant women;
– women (or men raising a child alone) who are on social leave for a child under three years of age and have been working in the relevant position (profession) for less than 1 (one) year after the end of that leave;
– those hired for the first time, for a period of 3 (three) years;
– persons who have passed certification at least 3 (three) times.
– Participation in certification for persons aged 60 and over is voluntary.
Certification is organized by the Ministry of Culture. For the purpose of organizing the certification, the Ministry establishes a Certification Council for Educators consisting of 7 (seven) members, including the chairman. The activities of the Certification Council are regulated by the Statute approved by the Ministry. The Certification Council is headed by a chairman appointed and dismissed by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The composition of the Certification Council is approved by the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Members of the Certification Council work on a voluntary basis.
In order to regulate issues related to certification, a “Certification” subsystem (hereinafter – subsystem) is created in the electronic management system of the Ministry’s educational institutions. 3. Conducting certification 3.1. Certification is conducted in two stages (test and interview stage) and with video recording provided. 3.2. The Ministry determines the place, time, and specialties for the certification and posts them in the subsystem. Certification is conducted in the language in which the educators teach. 3.3. The Ministry’s culture departments and the Ministry of Culture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic register the educators who will participate in the certification in the subsystem and ensure their participation in the certification at the designated time.
In order to regulate issues related to certification, a “Certification” subsystem is created in the electronic management system of the Ministry’s educational institutions. Certification is conducted in two stages (test and interview stage) and with video recording provided. 3.2. The Ministry determines the place, time, and specialties for the certification and posts them in the subsystem. Certification is conducted in the language in which the educators teach. The Ministry’s culture departments and the Ministry of Culture of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic register the educators who will participate in the certification in the subsystem and ensure their participation in the certification at the designated time.
Certification questions are prepared based on the labor function, specialty (profession), and the subject(s) taught by the educators in their respective positions. In the test stage of the certification, 60 (sixty) questions are presented to educators regarding their specialty, curricula, teaching methodology (principles of organizing the pedagogical process, planning of learning activities, requirements for organizing training, methods of assessing knowledge and skills, types and purposes of assessment), and ethical behavior of educators.
The test stage is carried out electronically on a computer. The software provides each educator with an individual test variant. 120 minutes are allocated for the test stage of the certification. No breaks are allowed during this time. In the test stage, each correct answer is evaluated with 1 (one) point. Incorrect answers or leaving a question unanswered are equal to 0 (zero) points and do not affect correct answers. The calculation of points based on the results of the test stage of the certification is carried out in an automated mode through software, and the educator’s results are announced to them immediately after the test stage is completed.
Favorable conditions are created to ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in the test stage of the certification. Also, for educators identified as visually impaired due to 81-100 percent impairment of body functions, an individual supervisor is appointed, and the duration of the test stage is extended by 60 (sixty) minutes for them.
Educators who score at least 30 (thirty) points in the test stage of the certification are admitted to the interview stage. 30 (thirty) minutes are allocated for each educator in the interview stage. For the conduct of the interview, the Ministry creates interview commissions based on the proposals of the Certification Council and approves their composition.
The interview stage is evaluated with a maximum of 40 (forty) points based on the following criteria:
– analysis, interpretation, and practical application skills of the material, work, task, or topic presented by the commission;
– skills in organizing the teaching process and applying methodological approaches;
– presentation and performance skills of practical tasks, works, compositions, exercises, performances, drawings, stage, or other creative examples in the specialty in accordance with the interview program;
– emotional stability, self-expression, and communication skills.
Each criterion is measured on a 4 (four) point scale.
The maximum 40 (forty) points that can be collected in the interview stage are calculated according to the criteria as follows:
– 4 (four) times the points collected for the analysis, interpretation, and practical application skills of the material, work, task, or topic presented by the commission;
– 3 (three) times the points collected for the skills in organizing the teaching process and applying methodological approaches;
– 2 (two) times the points collected for the presentation and performance skills of practical tasks, works, compositions, exercises, performances, drawings, stage, or other creative examples in the specialty in accordance with the interview program;
– 1 (one) time the points collected for emotional stability, self-expression, and communication skills.
Educators who score at least 20 (twenty) points in the interview stage of the certification are considered to have passed that stage. The results of the interview stage of the certification are entered into the subsystem. The results of the interview are announced within 5 (five) working days from the date it is held, and the overall results of the educators regarding the certification are sent to their “Personal Cabinet”.
Educators who have collected the minimal points indicated in these Rules in the test and interview stages of the certification are considered to have passed the certification. Educators who do not agree with the results of the certification may file a complaint to the court and/or administratively to the Ministry within 30 (thirty) working days from the date the result is sent to their “Personal Cabinet”. The Ministry considers the educator’s complaint with their participation in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Administrative Proceedings”.
Educators who have passed the certification are issued a certificate created in the form of an electronic document in the subsystem in accordance with the requirements of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Electronic Signature and Electronic Document”. The certificate is prepared within 5 (five) working days after the results of the certification are announced.