Major education expansion in Karabakh: New schools, kindergartens set to open in 2024

Under the "First State Program on the Great Return to the liberated territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan" approved by President Ilham Aliyev's decree on November 16, 2022, construction, major overhaul, and renovation of educational institutions are underway in the liberated areas.

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Science and Education reported that a new building of 960-seat secondary school No.1 is under construction in Aghdam. As of July, approximately 2 per cent of the planned work has been completed, with a total of 92 per cent of the construction finished. The school is expected to open later this year, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

Similar projects are advancing for other schools: a 960-student capacity building for the Mehdi Mehdizada secondary school in Jabrayil is 83 per cent complete, with about 3 per cent of the planned work done in July.

Construction for a comparable school in Kalbajar is 62 per cent complete, with 2 per cent of the planned work completed last month. Ongoing tasks include painting, fencing, and the installation of electrical and sewage systems. Efforts are also being made to prepare for potential relocation and the commencement of classes within the current year.

The renovation of a 132-student capacity building for a secondary school in Khojaly has been completed in full. All planned work was finished in July, with the facility set to be operational within this year.

Ongoing renovations are also taking place at a 624-student capacity building for the secondary school in Karkijahan, Khankandi. Approximately 45 per cent of the planned work was completed in July, bringing the total completion to 70 per cent. Current tasks include tile installation, interior finishing, wooden floor polishing, and electrical and plumbing work. The school is expected to be completed and operational within this year.

Additionally, there are plans for the renovation and commissioning of an educational institution in Khankandi this year.

In 2024, five new kindergartens are scheduled to open. The renovation of the 30-seat Khojaly City Nursery-Kindergarten has also been fully completed, with all planned work finished in July. This facility is expected to be operational within the current year.

Construction has begun on a 160-seat building for nursery-kindergarten No. 1 in Aghdam. Work scheduled for July has been completed, with overall progress at 50 per cent. The facility is expected to be operational later this year.

Ongoing renovations are being carried out at a 30-seat nursery-kindergarten in Karkijahan and Khankandi. Approximately 55 per cent of the planned work was completed in July, bringing the total progress to 80 per cent. Current tasks include facade plastering and painting, as well as assembling concrete structures at the entrance. The building is set to open within this year.

Renovation and construction work has also started on a 240-seat nursery-kindergarten No. 1 in Fuzuli. Work planned for July has been completed, with overall progress at 10 per cent. The completion of this project is also slated for this year.

In Khankandi, renovations are underway for an 80-seat nursery-kindergarten, which is expected to be finished and operational within the year.

For 2024, the construction of two new schools is planned.

Restoration work has commenced at the Shusha Real School. However, there have been some delays due to project adjustments, with 7 per cent of the work completed so far. Construction will continue throughout the year.

The construction of a 960-seat secondary school in Zangilan is ongoing. Approximately 5 per cent of the planned work was completed in July, with overall progress at 50 per cent. The remaining construction will continue this year.

In 2024, construction is underway for two new kindergartens.

In July, the preparation of project and cost documentation for the 160-seat nursery-kindergarten No. 2 in Aghdam continued. Construction is planned to begin this year, with the facility expected to be completed and operational by 2025.

The project and cost documentation for a 160-seat nursery-kindergarten in Zangilan is nearing completion following July’s work. Construction is set to start this year, with completion anticipated by May 2025.

In 2024, construction is also ongoing for one vocational education institution:

The construction of Fuzuli Vocational Lyceum has started. In July, formwork was completed at the excavation site, which will undergo testing. Overall progress stands at 7 per cent, with approximately 2 per cent completed in July. Construction will continue throughout the year.

For schools, project and cost documentation is being developed in 2024 for eight new educational institutions, with construction expected to start this year:

-A 600-seat secondary school in Gubadli

-A 960-seat secondary school No. 2 in Aghdam

-A 400-seat secondary school No. 1 in Lachin

-A 432-seat secondary school in Malibayli village, Khojaly district

-A 360-seat secondary school in Hadrut settlement, Khojavand district

-A 264-seat secondary school in Umudlu village, Aghdara district

-A secondary school in Turshsu settlement, Shusha

-A secondary school in Khojavand (renovation and supply work)

In 2024, the development of project plans and cost estimates, along with the commencement of construction, will initiate for four vocational educational institutions:

-Aghdam Vocational Education Center

-Zangilan Vocational Education Center

-Gubadli Vocational Education Center

-Shusha Vocational Education Center

In 2024, construction will commence for one college, for which the project and cost documentation has been completed.

The preparation of project plans and cost estimates for the following educational institutions is progressing according to schedule:

Shusha College

Three new kindergartens have applied for land allocation and the initiation of design work in 2024. Preparatory work for these projects was conducted in July:

-Construction of the Jabrayil City Nursery-Kindergarten (with the lower floor of a newly built building allocated for this purpose)

-Construction of the Kalbajar City Nursery-Kindergarten

-Construction of the Lachin City Nursery-Kindergarten.