Azerbaijan expands focus on international education assessments PHOTO

Azerbaijan has held an information session on the international PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) study, bringing together education officials, media representatives and other stakeholders.

Elnur Aliyev, an adviser to the Minister of Education and acting director of the Institute of Education (ARTI), delivered a presentation outlining the objectives, methodology and key features of the international assessment, Caliber.Az reports.

The session covered the frameworks used in international education assessments, the development of global standards and the criteria underpinning them. Participants were also briefed on PISA’s role in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of education systems.

PISA is conducted every three years and assesses the reading, mathematics and science skills of 15-year-old students. Each assessment cycle places particular emphasis on one of these areas. Beginning in 2029, the assessment is planned to move to a four-year cycle.

Aliyev emphasized that PISA goes beyond measuring students’ theoretical knowledge, focusing also on their ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-life situations.

He described PISA not as a competition centered on international rankings, but as a reliable assessment platform that allows countries to evaluate their education systems and identify areas for improvement.

Azerbaijan has participated in PISA since 2018. The 2025 assessment marked a broader participation framework, with schools from the country’s regions included alongside those in other areas.

The meeting also highlighted Azerbaijan’s participation in a range of national and international assessments designed to evaluate education quality. Students from different age groups are involved in these assessment initiatives.

The event concluded with a question-and-answer session.

By Vafa Guliyeva