Republic of Azerbaijan SABER Country Report EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT 2018 Policy Goals Status 1. Establishing an Enabling Environment In Azerbaijan, the legal framework mandates a number of free essential health services for pregnant women and young children. Given the importance of early childhood education for the country’s economic and social development, Azerbaijan could improve intersectoral coordination mechanisms to provide integrated and efficient services for children. With the exception of education, early childhood development (ECD) spending is not specified for health and nutrition. Azerbaijan may consider establishing a multisectoral ECD strategy to agree with country goals and establish explicit budget mechanisms to allow for the identification, coordination, and tracking of investments across all ECD services. 2. Implementing Widely Azerbaijan has established many essential health, education, and child and social protection programs. However, the scope of nutrition programs could be expanded. Coverage rates for ECD interventions can be improved as well, particularly preschool enrollment—net enrollment rates for children 3- to-6-year-olds is only 21 percent. There is generally equity in access to health services, although there are some notable differences in health outcomes between children from the poorest EC and richest quintiles. Moreover, in the education sector, significant disparities exist at the sub- national level with students in rural areas three times less likely to attend preschool than urban students. Efforts to increase access to quality preschool education and healthcare among marginalized populations could reduce socioeconomic inequality and improve quality of life. 3. Monitoring and Assuring Quality Azerbaijan collects a number of important administrative and survey data. However, data could be expanded to include more health and nutrition indicators. Standards for early childhood education and care (ECEC) curricula, professional qualifications, and infrastructure have been established and there is a high level of compliance with existing standards. Nevertheless, once ECEC facilities are licensed and accredited, systematic inspections are not consistently performed. Moreover, guidelines exist for child-to-teacher ratios and operating hours for ECEC facilities, but is unclear whether standards are enforced. Additionally, in-service training is not required for all ECEC teachers, only for primary (not preschool) school teachers involved in school readiness programs. Improving the monitoring and evaluation system could ensure that all beneficiaries receive appropriate services and ECD objectives are being met. AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 This report presents the latest analysis of the Early segments of society with the bulk of these differences Childhood Development (ECD) programs and policies apparent by age 3 and remaining largely unchanged after that affect young children in the Republic of Azerbaijan that. An analysis of Azerbaijan’s last participation in the and poses overall recommendations to move forward. OECD’s Programme for International Student This report is part of a series of reports prepared by the Assessment (PISA) in 2009, reveals a strong association World Bank using the SABER-ECD framework and between an increase in 15-year-old Azerbaijani students’ includes analysis of early learning, health, nutrition and reading scores and more than one year of preschool. As social and child protection policies and interventions in a result, high quality interventions in the early years have Azerbaijan, along with regional and international not only a high cost-benefit ratio, but also a higher rate of comparisons. 1 return for each dollar invested (7 to 16 percent annually in the United States) than interventions directed at older Azerbaijan and Early Childhood children. These interventions are particularly effective for Development disadvantaged children. Despite recent improvements to the provision of quality The Republic of Azerbaijan is an upper middle-income ECD, Azerbaijan is substantially lagging international country in the South Caucasus region that is recovering standards. According to the World Bank’s latest Human from a recent economic recession. Between 2015 and Capital Project initiative, which aims to help countries 2016, external shocks and a deceleration of oil production develop more effective policies and programs to enhance contributed to a decline in GDP from 1.1 percent to -3.1 human capital, the amount of human capital that a child percent and decrease in gross national income per capita, born today can expect to attain by the end of secondary Atlas method from $6,550 to $4,760. 2 However, 2017 school in a given country can be measured by: (1) showed signs of modest recovery brought on in part by survival, using mortality rates of children under 5; (2) benign public financing and non-oil economic growth. expected years of quality-adjusted schooling, which Azerbaijan ranked 78 out of 188 countries in the 2016 combines information on the quantity and quality of UNDP Human Development Index, which the UNDP education; and (3) health, including adult survival rates categorizes as high in human development. The poverty (rate of 15-year-olds surviving to the age of 60) and the headcount ratio by national standards was 6 percent and rate of stunting for children under 5. In terms of the unemployment rate was 4.7 percent. 3 Nevertheless, Azerbaijan, the government has established a social conditions remain a major source of concern as real comprehensive legal framework to promote the provision wages and spending on social protection programs of ECD services including a series of national laws and declined in 2017.4 Another sector that is underfunded by regulations that promote preschool education, mandate a international comparison is education, which received wide range of health services for pregnant women and approximately 3 percent of GDP and 7.62 of the total young children, and guarantee child protection and social government expenditure. Meanwhile, the current services to all beneficiary groups. Nevertheless, population of 9.9 million has grown at a rate of about 1.4 Azerbaijan has one of the highest rates of mortality and percent annually since 2001. Investing in early childhood moderate and severe stunting for children under 5 years development could provide Azerbaijan with the old than most peer countries; with outcomes comparable opportunity to foster the foundational skills needed for the to Tajikistan, a low-middle income country (Table 1). changing economy. Moreover, only 21 percent of 3-6-year-olds are enrolled in preschool education facilities, which makes Azerbaijan Evidence shows that holistic and high-quality one of the countries in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) interventions in the early years of a child’s life yield region with the lowest access to preschool education. significant benefits in the short and longer terms. A Other challenges to ECD delivery in Azerbaijan include number of early interventions have been shown to have insufficient and coherent intersectoral coordination and significant and long-lasting benefits, including enhancing financing mechanisms and inequitable access and cognitive and socioemotional skills, among others. outcomes according to regional differences and Moreover, studies show that there are large cognitive socioeconomic background. Results from the 2009 differences between children in the poorest and richest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 1 3 SABER-ECD is one domain within the World Bank initiative, Systems UNDP, 2016 Human Development Report, accessed December 26, Approach for Better Education Results (SABER), which is designed to 2017, http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/AZE 4 provide comparable and comprehensive assessments of country World Bank Poverty & Equity Data Portal, accessed May 3, 2018, policies. http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country/AZE 2 IMF, 2016, Republic of Azerbaijan Staff Report, accessed May 11, 2018, https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/scr/2016/cr16296.pdf SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 1 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 indicate that students in Azerbaijan do not acquire the foundational skills needed for long-term educational and professional success (Figure 1). Countless studies show that improving access to quality ECD programs are strongly associated with skills development in the long-term.5 Table 1: Snapshot of ECD indicators in Azerbaijan with regional comparison Russian Azerbaijan Bulgaria Georgia Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Romania Ukraine Federation Under 5 mortality 32 10 12 21 45 11 10 9 rate, 2015 Infant mortality 39 28 9 11 19 10 8 8 rate (under 1), 2015 Exclusive breastfeedin g <6 months 12 N/A 55 41 34 16 N/A 20 (%), 2010- 2015 Moderate & severe 4 stunting 18 9 11 13 27 13 N/A (%), 2010- 2015 Birth registration 94 100 100 98 88 N/A 100 100 (%), 2010- 2015 Net enrollment 38.7 rate (3-6- 20.8 82.9 24.1 7.9 84 82 74.5 (2006) year-olds), 2014 Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 Note: Under 5 mortality rate and infant mortality rate are expressed per 1,000 live births 5 van Belle, J. 2016 and Bakken, L., Brown, N., and Downing, B. 2017. 1 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 2 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Figure 1: Top performers in reading, mathematics and science (percentage of students reaching the two highest levels of proficiency) Source: OECD, 2010 Note: Countries are ranked in descending order of the percentage of top performers in reading (Levels 5 and 6) Systems Approach for Better Education development (Box 1). While the list is not exhaustive, it is Results - Early Childhood Development meant to provide an initial checklist for countries to consider the key policies and interventions needed across (SABER-ECD) sectors. SABER-ECD collects, analyzes and disseminates comprehensive information on ECD policies around the world. In each participating country, extensive multisectoral information is collected on ECD policies and programs through a desk review of available government documents, data and literature, and interviews with a range of ECD stakeholders, including government officials, service providers, civil society, development partners and scholars. The SABER-ECD framework presents a holistic and integrated assessment of how the overall policy environment in a country affects young children’s development. This assessment can be used to identify how countries address the same policy challenges related to ECD, with the ultimate goal of designing effective policies for young children and their families. The SABER-ECD approach looks for a list of interventions in countries when assessing the level of ECD policy 2 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 3 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Box 1: A checklist to consider how well ECD is Three Key Policy Goals for Early Childhood promoted at the country level Development What should be in place at the country level to promote coordinated and integrated ECD SABER-ECD identifies three core policy goals that interventions for young children and their countries should address to ensure optimal ECD families? outcomes: Establishing an Enabling Environment, Healthcare Implementing Widely, and Monitoring and Assuring • Standard health screenings for pregnant women Quality (Figure 2). Improving ECD requires an integrated • Skilled attendants at delivery approach to address all three goals. For each policy goal, • Childhood immunizations a series of policy levers are identified, through which • Well-child visits decision-makers can strengthen ECD. 6 Strengthening Nutrition ECD policies can be viewed as a continuum (Table 2). Countries can range from a latent to advanced level of • Breastfeeding promotion development within the different policy levers and goals. • Salt iodization • Iron fortification Figure 2: Three core ECD policy goals Early Learning • Parenting programs (during pregnancy, after delivery and throughout early childhood) • Childcare for working parents (of high quality) • Free preschool school (preferably at least two years with developmentally appropriate curriculum and classrooms, and quality assurance mechanisms) Social Protection • Services for orphans and vulnerable children • Policies to protect rights of children with special needs and promote their participation and access to ECD services • Financial transfer mechanisms or income supports to reach the most vulnerable families (could include cash transfers, social welfare, etc.) Source: World Bank SABER-ECD Framework Paper, 2013 Child Protection • Mandated birth registration • Job protection and breastfeeding breaks for new mothers • Specific provisions in judicial system for young children • Guaranteed paid parental leave of least six months • Domestic violence laws and enforcement • Tracking of child abuse (especially for young children) • Training for law enforcement officers in regards to the particular needs of young children Source: World Bank SABER-ECD Framework Paper, 2013 6 These policy goals were identified based on evidence from impact What Matters Most for Early Childhood Development: A Framework evaluations, institutional analyses and a benchmarking exercise of top- Paper. performing systems. For further information see: World Bank. 2013. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 4 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Table 2: ECD policy goals and levels of development Level of Development ECD Policy Goal Latent Emerging Established Advanced Non-existent legal Minimal legal framework; Developed legal Regulations in some Establishing framework; ad-hoc some programs with framework; robust sectors; functioning an Enabling financing; low sustained financing; inter-institutional intersectoral coordination; Environment intersectoral some intersectoral coordination; sustained financing. coordination. coordination. sustained financing. Universal coverage; Low coverage; pilot Coverage expanding but Near-universal coverage in comprehensive programs in some gaps remain; programs Implementing some sectors; established strategies across sectors; high established in a few Widely programs in most sectors; sectors; integrated inequality in access sectors; inequality in low inequality in access. services for all, some and outcomes. access and outcomes. tailored and targeted. Information on Information on outcomes at Minimal survey data Information on outcomes outcomes from national, regional and local available; limited at national level; national to individual Monitoring levels; standards for standards for standards for services levels; standards and Assuring services exist for most provision of ECD exist in some sectors; no exist for all sectors; Quality sectors; system in place to services; no system to monitor system in place to regularly monitor enforcement. compliance. regularly monitor and compliance. enforce compliance. Source: World Bank SABER-ECD Framework Paper, 2013 Policy Goal 1: Establishing an Enabling The legal framework comprises all of the laws and Environment regulations, which can affect the development of young children in a country. The laws and regulations, which Policy Levers: Legal Framework | Intersectoral impact ECD are diverse due to the array of sectors that Coordination | Finance influence ECD and the different constituencies that ECD policy can and should target, including pregnant women, young children, and parents and caregivers. An Enabling Environment is the foundation for the design and implementation of effective ECD policies. 7 An Azerbaijan’s national regulatory framework enabling environment consists of the following: the guarantees healthcare services for pregnant women existence of an adequate legal and regulatory framework and young children. The Law of the Republic of to support ECD; coordination within sectors and across Azerbaijan on Protection of Population Health stipulates institutions to deliver services effectively; and, sufficient the right of every woman to access free medical care at fiscal resources with transparent and efficient allocation pregnancy and childbirth at public healthcare facilities 8. mechanisms. According to UNICEF country statistics, skilled health personnel attend 97 percent of births.9 HIV screenings for Policy Lever 1.1: Legal Framework women are also mandated at the beginning of pregnancy Established and after giving birth. 10 In fact, according to AİDS the Center, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is implemented to 7 Britto, Yoshikawa & Boller, 2011 and Vargas-Baron, 2005 https://data.unicef.org/resources/state-worlds-children-2016-statistical- 8 Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Protection of Population Health, tables/ Art. 17, accessed November 22, 2017, http://sehiyye.gov.az/saqlamlqnn_qorunmas_haqqnda.html 10 Republic of Azerbaijan. HIV/AIDS Prevention Program for 2016-2020, 9 UNICEF. State of The World's Children 2016 Country Statistical accessed May 11, 2018, http://www.e-qanun.az/framework/32341 Information: Azerbaijan, accessed December 12, 2017, 3 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 5 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 prevent mother-to child transmission-in 2016, 241 monitoring effectiveness of the dynamics of iodine pregnant women underwent treatment through ART. deficiency diseases; organization of scientific research Moreover, under the Program on Protection of Mother and aimed at prevention of iodine deficiency diseases; public Child Health, the Ministry of Health ensures awareness about the prevention of iodine deficiency comprehensive and free immunizations for young disease; mandatory compliance with the standards, children, with most immunizations administered within the sanitary-hygienic norms, and rules in the quality and first five years of life11. Well-child visits, another important safety of iodized salt for all legal and natural persons component of healthcare for young children, are also operating in the production, import and sale of iodized established and occur most frequently after birth, followed salt.17 To guarantee the quality and safety of iodized salt, by regular quarterly and bi-annual visits once a child the GoA has a certification process for all the iodized salt reaches the age of two and three, respectively. produced in the country.18 In addition, national policies are in place to safeguard However, the regulatory framework lacks policies or appropriate dietary consumption and improve national guidelines on fortification of cereals/staples with nutritional intake by pregnant women and young iron. There is a high prevalence of anemia among women children. Azerbaijan adopted the International Code of of reproductive age in Azerbaijan (40 percent), arguably Breast Milk Substitutes – an international health policy attributed to iron deficiency.19 In response to this finding, framework endorsed by the World Health Organization UNICEF initiated the development of an (WHO) - incorporating many provisions into its domestic advocacy/information package on anemia reduction legal system. 12 For instance, in 2003, the government targeted at decision makers20. A working group consisting adopted the Law on Breastfeeding and Infant Food that of the country’s experts is currently developing the encourages mothers to breastfeed children for at least 6 information based on evidence available in and out of the months.13 The legislation also sets guidelines for breast country on effective anemia reduction interventions, milk substitute products. 14 According to the WHO, including a flour fortification initiative. To support these breastfed infants are more likely to thrive physically and efforts addressing anemia in women and improve nutrition mentally into adulthood. A less familiar finding is that intake overall, the government could consider designing higher rates of breastfeeding could also offer enormous a national policy on the fortification of staples with iron. cost savings due to reduced healthcare costs.15 Another useful indicator to keep track of, is childhood obesity, which is becoming increasingly common among The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Iodization of young children in middle-income countries. Salt for Massive Prophylaxis of Iodine Deficiency Disorders codifies the state’s responsibility in iodization of Laws and regulations in Azerbaijan promote salt to prevent massive prophylaxis of iodine deficiencies opportunities for adequate caregiving for pregnant through implementation of state programs.16 In addition, women and new mothers. In 2010, the GoA ratified the the law states that the government will take the following International Labour Organization (ILO) Maternity measures in the field of iodization: detection of patients Protection Convention that recommends at least 14 with prophylactic examination and iodine deficiency; weeks of maternity leave.21 Under the Labor Code of the 11 16 Republic of Azerbaijan. Comprehensive Multi-Year Plan for Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Iodization of Salt for Massive Immunization Programme 2011-2015, accessed May 11, 2018, Prophylaxis of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Art. 4, accessed November http://www.nationalplanningcycles.org/sites/default/files/planning_cycle 30, 2017, http://sehiyye.gov.az/yod_xesteliklerinin_haqqinda.html 17 _repository/azerbaijan/aze_cmyp_eng.pdf Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Iodization of Salt for Massive 12 WHO. Marketing of Beast-Milk Substitutes: Country Implementation Prophylaxis of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Art. 5, accessed November of the International Code Status Report 2016, accessed November 27, 30, 2017, http://sehiyye.gov.az/yod_xesteliklerinin_haqqinda.html 18 2017, Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Iodization of Salt for Massive http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/206008/1/9789241565325_eng Prophylaxis of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Art. 8, accessed November .pdf 30, 2017, http://sehiyye.gov.az/yod_xesteliklerinin_haqqinda.html 13 19 UNICEF. Azerbaijan: Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a Success, World Bank. 2018. Prevalence of Anemia Among Pregnant Women accessed November 30, 2017, (%), accessed September 26, 2018, https://www.unicef.org/azerbaijan/media_2569.html https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.PRG.ANEM?locations=AZ 14 Law on Breastfeeding and Infant Food, Art. 7, accessed November 20 UNICEF. Annual Report 2016, accessed May 11, 2018, 30, 2017, https://www.ecolex.org/details/legislation/law-on- https://www.unicef.org/about/annualreport/files/Azerbaijan_2016_COA breastfeeding-and-infant-food-2003-lex-faoc047308/ R.pdf 15 WHO study projected cost savings of more than US$300 million in the 21 International Labour Organization Maternity Protection Convention, US, UK, Brazil and urban China alone. Art. 4.1, accessed November 27, 2017, http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P 12100_ILO_CODE:C183 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 6 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Republic of Azerbaijan, paid maternity leave of 126 Pregnant women and new mothers are provided with calendar days is allowed starting 70 calendar days before employment protection and breastfeeding facilities . The ILO Maternity Protection Convention 25 clearly childbirth and ending 56 calendar days after childbirth. establishes employment protection and non- This amount is on par with the average maternity leave discrimination principles including prohibition to terminate for the OECD, but is less than the allotment granted in the employment of women during pregnancy or absence neighboring countries (Figure 3). However, in the case of on maternity leave.26 The Convention guarantees women multiple births or abnormal birth, the legislation mandates the right to return to the same position or an equivalent additional days, 180 and 156 days total, respectively. position paid at the same rate. 27 For breastfeeding Importantly, the average salary for maternity leave is mothers, the Convention stipulates the right to one or based on the average salary for the preceding 12 more daily breaks or daily reductions of working hours to calendar months.22 The government pays 100 percent of breastfeed. 28 Female labor force participation in maternity leave from the funds generated from the Azerbaijan is 63 percent, which is higher than in obligatory state social insurance. 23 While paid paternity neighboring countries (58 percent). leave is not mandated, with employers’ consent unpaid leave is granted up to 14 calendar days for men whose The regulatory framework in Azerbaijan promotes wives are on maternity leave.24 preschool education, however enrollment is not mandatory. The Education Law of the Republic of Figure 3: Regional comparison of paid maternity Azerbaijan adopted in 2009 and Law on Preschool leave policies Education adopted in 2017, emphasize the importance of preschool education and provide free access to public preschool education. Moreover, preschool preparation in OECD the form of a School Readiness Program (SRP) is highly encouraged for 5-6-year-old children. 29 However, participation is not mandatory30. Georgia Child protection policies and services are established, but could be expanded. The Ministry of Justice states that birth registration is one of the main priorities of the government’s demographic policy. While Azerbaijan the primary responsibility for birth registration within one month of birth lies with parents, healthcare providers 0 50 100 150 200 automatically transfer birth information to the Ministry of Health, which then gets uploaded to the data information Maximum Days system of the Ministry of Justice. 31 Additionally, the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prevention of Domestic Source: ILO, 2017 Violence provides legal guarantees for prevention and Note: Based on 100 percent of wage punishment of violence in the family. 32 The national 22 Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 140, accessed http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P November 15, 2017, http://www.mlspp.gov.az/en/pages/4/125 12100_ILO_CODE:C183 23 28 Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Social Insurance, Arts. 17 and International Labor Organization Maternity Protection Convention, Art. 20, accessed November 15, 2017, 10.1, accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.sspf.gov.az/upload/file/qanunvericilik/qanunlar/number_250 http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P .PDF 12100_ILO_CODE:C183 24 29 Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 130, accessed Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Arts. 5.4 and 18, November 15, 2017, http://www.mlspp.gov.az/en/pages/4/125 accessed November 15, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/72/5244 25 30 Official Website of International Labor Organization, accessed In addition, the following types of preschool facilities operate in the November 27, 2017, country by age group: nurseries (1-3), nursery-kindergartens (1-6), http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:11200:0::NO::P kindergartens and special kindergartens (3-6), SRP (5-6), and family 11200_COUNTRY_ID:102556 programs (1-6). 26 31 International Labor Organization Maternity Protection Convention, Art. Family Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 166.3, accessed 8.1, accessed November 30, 2017, November 16, 2017, http://www.e-qanun.az/code/10 32 http://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan Republic on Prevention of Domestic 12100_ILO_CODE:C183 Violence, accessed November 16, 2017, http://evaw-global- 27 International Labor Organization Maternity Protection Convention, Art. database.unwomen.org/~/media/files/un percent20women/vaw/full 8.2, accessed November 30, 2017, percent20text/asia/law percent20on percent20prevention percent20of SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 7 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 judicial system in Azerbaijan also requires judges, • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Social lawyers, and law enforcement officers to attend training Protection of Children Who Lost Their Parents and and specialized courts have been created to protect Deprived of Parental Care (1999) young children. • Labor Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1999) • Family Code of Azerbaijan (1999) Social protection laws and regulations addressing • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Child Rights the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) (1998) and children with special needs are in place. The • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Social regulatory framework in the Education, Health, and Social Insurance (1997) Protection sectors guarantees legal right and access to Source: Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2017 ECD services and housing for vulnerable children. Under the Law on Social Protection of Children, minors that have lost their parents or are deprived of parental protection Policy Lever 1.2: Intersectoral Coordination can be adopted by guardians (trustees) or enrolled in Latent public boarding schools. Vulnerable children with medical conditions are referred to special educational and social protection institutions.33 In addition, children with special needs have free access to cross-sectoral services to Development in early childhood is a multi-dimensional facilitate their upbringing, education, social adaptation, process. 35 In order to meet children’s diverse needs and integration into social life.34 during the early years, government coordination is essential, both horizontally across different sectors as Box 2: Key laws governing ECD in Azerbaijan well as vertically from the local to national levels. In many Education countries, non-state actors (either domestic or • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Preschool international) participate in ECD service delivery; for this Education (2017) reason, mechanisms to coordinate with non-state actors are also essential. • The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education (2010) The GoA currently has not adopted a comprehensive • Order of the Minister of Education of Azerbaijan multisectoral ECD strategy. While an institutional Republic on Approval of Rules for School anchor has not been established to coordinate ECD Preparation (2010) interventions at the point of policy design and service • Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2009) delivery, in 2006 the State Committee on Family, Women Health & Nutrition and Children's Issues was established to oversee state • Law on Breastfeeding and Infant Food (2003) policy and set regulations in the area of family, women • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Iodination of and children. The Committee has a mandate to protect Salt for the Purpose of Mass Prevention of Iodine- the rights of women and children, design regulations and Deficiency Diseases (2001) implement government projects in this field, but it does not • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Protection of provide a framework for integrated ECD services.36 Population Health (1997) • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Sanitary- ECD interventions are not coordinated and there is no Epidemiological Welfare (1992) mechanism for collaboration among stakeholders. Social Protection The GoA has delineated areas of responsibility in the field • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Social Service of ECD provision between different government bodies (2011) (Figure 4). The Preschool Education Unit of the Ministry • Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan Republic on of Education (MoE) creates the normative-legal Prevention of Domestic Violence (2010) framework for the preschool education system and • Law on Social Benefits (2006) oversees the implementation of the state programs for 34 percent20domestic percent20violence percent20(2010)/law Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 10.6, accessed percent20on percent20prevention percent20of percent20domsetic November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244 35 percent20violence percent202010.pdf Naudeau et al., 2011; UNESCO-OREALC, 2004; Neuman, 2007 33 36 Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 29.2.41, accessed Official Website of the State Committee on Family, Women and November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244 Children's Issues, accessed December 1, 2017, http://scfwca.gov.az/page/komitenin-esasnamesi SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 8 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 preschool education. 37 The state has a responsibility to established an intersectoral framework aimed at develop, approve and oversee the implementation of improving coordination among various ECD stakeholders various state programs for development of the national (Box 3). system of education and is responsible for implementation of the overall state education policy. 38 Figure 4: Key ministries involved in ECD provision Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has a responsibility to design and implement public policy and programs in the field of ECD health and nutrition.39 ECD Polices related to Ministry of Labor Ministry of and Social children with special needs and OVCs fall under the Education (MoE) Ministry of Protection of jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection Health (MoH) Populations (MoLSPP) of Populations (MoLSPP) and the MoE. Each sector government agency sets specific goals for ECD-aged children, however there are no regular coordination Source: SABER-ECD Data Collection Instrument, 2018 meetings between the different implementing actors at the national or sub-national levels. Azerbaijan could learn from other countries, such as Georgia that have Box 3: Multisectoral ECD coordination and integrated services in Georgia In Georgia, the government developed the National Strategic Action Plan for Early Childhood Development 2007-2009 to establish a shared vision and standards for effective implementation of multisectoral policies and programs in ECD. In 2007, the Action Plan established a Coordination and Monitoring Alliance at the Health and Social Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia with the mandate to design and implement a comprehensive early childhood development strategy. The National Alliance members include representatives of the Parliament of Georgia, Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, academia, professional associations, local NGOs and international development partners. Additionally, under the aegis of the Alliance of Board of Advisors the following thematic working groups were established: (1) ECD mainstreaming in national policies; (2) ECD mainstreaming in the health sector; (3) ECD mainstreaming in the preschool education sector; (4) ECD integration in academia; (5) ECD education programs for parenting/families. Results of the intersectoral strategy: • The National Alliance on Early Childhood Development has developed a national strategic plan of action and new standards for the early learning and development of children. These standards now form the basis of preschool reform efforts by giving guidance to caregivers and offering uniform indicators of physical, mental and social development for children under six • The Child Development Centre in Tbilisi is the result of Georgia’s establishment of a national ECD strategy. Beyond assessing children’s physical health, the Child Development Centre also evaluates their psychological and behavioral development. The centre is pioneering early child development (ECD) in Georgia Implications for Azerbaijan: • The GoA could establish an ECD institutional anchor similar to the one established in Georgia to review existing ECD policies and services and design a detailed action plan to best integrate these structures Source: Government of Georgia, 2017 Policy Lever 1.3: Finance While legal frameworks and intersectoral coordination are Latent crucial to establishing an enabling environment for ECD, adequate financial investment is key to ensure that resources are available to implement policies and achieve service provision goals. Investments in ECD can yield high public returns, but are often undersupplied without 37 39 Official Website of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Protection of Population Health, Azerbaijan, accessed November 22, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/29 Art. 3, accessed November 22, 2017, 38 Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Arts. 29.0.1 and 29.0.3, http://sehiyye.gov.az/saqlamlqnn_qorunmas_haqqnda.html accessed November 21, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 9 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 government support. Investments during the early years that private participation in preschool education is also can yield greater returns than equivalent investments low (only 5 percent). made later in a child’s life cycle and can lead to long- lasting intergenerational benefits. 40 Not only do Figure 5: Government expenditure on preschool investments in ECD generate high and persistent returns, education for Azerbaijan and regional comparators, they can also enhance the effectiveness of other social 2015-2016 (latest) investments and help governments address multiple 1.00 20 expenditure on education priorities with single investments. 0.80 15 % Total government % GDP 0.60 The GoA has not established explicit criteria or 10 0.40 methodology for ECD funding allocation at the 5 national and local levels. There is no separate budget 0.20 allocated specifically to ECD in other sectors responsible 0.00 0 Romania Ukraine Azerbaijan OECD Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan for ECD, except for the education sector, which allocates 10.5 percent of the total education budget to preschool education and the child and social protection sector, which budgets for pregnancy and child delivery allowance, childbirth allowance, childcare benefits up to % GDP % Total government expenditure on education the age of 3.41 Currently, the Ministry of Finance allocates funding for preschools in the budget of each local Source: UNESCO UIS, 2015-2016 executive committee. The other ministries supporting ECD also allocate a portion of their budget to education. Remuneration for ECEC service personnel varies by According to a Yale University Country Brief Report on the type of institution and location where they teach. ECD in Azerbaijan underway, the financing mechanism Under the Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, for preschool education is based on 20-25 budget the state guarantees the social protection of educators by classifications, such as classifications earmarking funds establishing an official pay scale for educational staff for food, teachers and other support staff salaries, etc.42 based on functional responsibilities, professional Financing is not determined on a per-child basis, but characteristics, professional qualifications, and length of rather is based on historical monthly averages of service.43 Importantly, educational staff at institutions for operational costs, salaries, number of groups, etc. To children with disabilities, orphans and children deprived of date, parents of children attending PSEIs do not officially parental care, children in need of strict conditions for pay for public PSE, however, parents are sometimes upbringing, institutions for talented children, and staff informally charged fees. Azerbaijan could benefit from working in mountainous and border regions, remote implementing a more explicit and transparent ECEC residential areas receive additional payments. financing mechanism such as per-student financing (Box Nevertheless, the average annual salary range of 4). preschool teachers is significantly less (158-210 AZN) than primary school teachers (320-385 AZN). The level of ECD financing is not adequate to meet the needs of all beneficiaries and is unclear whether With a moderate level of increased resources, the burden of finance is equitably distributed among Azerbaijan can significantly expand access to ECEC. stakeholders. Besides the MoE, other government Estimates of staff compensation expenditures that would bodies are not required to report disaggregated spending be needed to increase preschool enrollment by 50 by ECD age groups. While the government of Azerbaijan percent and 75 percent in 2025 were conducted (Table recognizes the importance of early childhood 3). Findings suggest that to increase enrollment and development on the policy level, its public expenditure on resources in the form of pedagogical staff, Azerbaijan preschool education is one of the lowest among peer would have to increase its preschool education budget by countries (Figure 5). This is especially concerning given around 44 and 79 percent. This means the total expenditure on education should be increased by 40 Valerio & Garcia, 2012; WHO, 2005; Hanushek & Kimko, 2000; Childhood Education Services at the Local Level in Countries off Hanushek & Luque, 2003 Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent 41 2017 Decree on the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan, States (CEE/CIS): Country Brief Report – Azerbaijan, Draft Report. accessed November 30, 2017, http://www.maliyye.gov.az/en/node/965 New Haven, Conneticut: Yale University. 42 43 Moore, K., Markovic, J., Aggio, C., van Ravens, J., and Ponguta, A. Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 36, accessed 2018. Analytical Review of Governance, Provision, and Quality of Early November 20, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 10 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 approximately 4 and 8 percent and the expenditure as percentage of the GDP would need to be increased by approximately 0.12 and 0.23 percent. At this level, Azerbaijan’s spending on preschool as percent of GDP would be comparable to the OECD average, but still less than regional peers, like Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine (see Figure 5 above). Box 4: Per capita financing to enhance ECD outcomes There are many fiscal mechanisms through which public funds may reach preschools. The choice of financing regime depends on the system of public finance in the country, the degree and scope of decentralization of public services to lower tiers of public administration, and the legal regulation of preschools themselves. Four models (or a mix of them) are commonly implemented: (1) direct national financing - direct financing of preschools comes from the national budget, (2) direct local financing - preschools are financed by local governments’ own revenues, (3) mixed financing - local financing of preschools is supported by the national budget, and (4) demand-side financing - direct transfers are made to preschool students’ parents, typically in the form of school vouchers. The first three models may be called supply -side financing in the sense that the funds are targeted toward the supplier of services (preschools); while the last model (no. 4) represents demand-side funding in the sense that consumers (users) are given the resources. A direct national financing model is typical in highly centralized countries, such as Azerbaijan. There are different ways of distributing resources. One common way is using per-student funding formulas, other ways are input-based or historical allocations. Per-student financing allocates resources based on the number of students enrolled and conditioned on a set of agreed objective criteria which adjusts the formula on the needs of various categories of students as agreed with the objectives. There can also be performance indicators that help stimulate ECD providers. Resource allocations based on a per-capita basis are a more transparent way of allocating resources. Depending on the objective of the formula, and if done properly, they can boost efficiency or equity. Overall, benefits of a per-capita funding in ECD may be summarized as follows: Efficiency in: • Operating costs: In a per capita financing, money follows students; thus, allocations are based on enrollment numbers, not on the quantity of inputs, reducing incentives to overuse resources • Resource optimization: Encourages the allocation of funds towards the most effective alternatives to reach desirable educational goals Equity: • Enrollment outcomes: Promotes preschool expansion since an increase in enrollment is accompanied by a proportional increase in resources • Vertical equity: Per capita financing allows establishing adjudgment coefficients or weights to consider the relatively higher cost of delivering education to some population groups, such as students with special needs, remotely located, socioeconomically disadvantaged, minority language • Horizontal equity: Municipalities with same student population structure will receive the same bulk of resources Transparency: • Clearness: The formula to allocate resources is straightforward and replicable • Objectivity: Allocations are objectively distributed among local governments • Predictability: Local governments may have relatively certainty of the expected funds Implications for Azerbaijan: • Azerbaijan could consider moving to a per-capita financing model to ensure greater efficiency, equity, and transparency in the allocation of resources to ECEC Source: World Bank, 2018 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 11 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Table 3: Estimated costs of additional staff for Legal framework increasing preschool access by 50% and 75% ➢ To address anemia and improve nutrition, the 50% 75% GoA could mandate iron fortification of staples. Number of additional children, 144,927 263,320 Iron fortification is an inexpensive way to improve 2025 nutritional intake across the population, increasing Number of additional 19,508 35,445 the likelihood the pregnant women and young pedagogical staff, 2025 children receive adequate iron. Additional budget allocated to 75.43 137.05 salaries (in million AZN), prices ➢ The GoA could develop a phased approach to of 2016 transition toward universal and mandatory Additional budget as % 43.59 79.19 preschool education for all children of preschool expenditure on preschool age. Given the benefits that quality preschool Additional budget as % 4.17 7.58 education yields for both individuals and society as a expenditure on education whole, the GoA could explore the feasibility of a phased approach to require children to attend preschool, accompanied by increased resources (i.e. Additional budget as % GDP 0.12 0.23 more and better paid teachers and more available Note: Prices in 2016 seats) and equitable financing models. This could Source: World Bank staff calculations using data from UNESCO include starting with 3-6-year-olds and then gradually UIS and The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of expanding coverage to younger children. Azerbaijan, 2016 Intersectoral Coordination While data on health expenditures is difficult to ➢ The government could explore potential ways of collect for ECD services, spending in the sector designing a comprehensive intersectoral ECD seems low. Health expenditure data from the WHO and framework. The holistic nature of children’s UNICEF suggest that Azerbaijan’s investment in the development, requires a system with a menu of health sector, as measured by government expenditure integrated services and coordination between service on health as a percentage of GDP, is low among regional providers at the point of planning and delivery. The peers (Table 4). The GoA could consider expanding data GoA could establish an ECD institutional anchor to collected on health expenditure of ECD services for more review existing ECD policies and services and design informed ECD budget planning. a detailed action plan to best integrate these structures. Table 4: Regional comparison of select health expenditure indicators Finance Azerbaijan Georgia Kyrgyzstan Ukraine ➢ The GoA could establish a per capita financing Out of pocket expenditures as a model for ECEC and more explicit budget percentage of all 79 59 48 51 planning system across all ECD sectors. Lack of private health an explicit and transparent financing mechanism can expenditure result in gaps in services and inefficient use of scarce Out of pocket resources. In particular, per capita financing in expenditure as a percentage of total 79 57 48 48 preschool education can ensure greater efficiency, health expenditures equity, and transparency. Moreover, budget Governm ent coordination processes can improve intersectoral expenditure on health coordination in general. 1.2 N/A 2.4 3.6 as a percentage of GDP Percentage of routine ➢ Consider increasing funding for preschool EPI vaccination is 78 78 N/A N/A education. Currently, Azerbaijan’s public financed by the expenditure on preschool education is one of the governm ent lowest among peers. Additional financing could Source: WHO Global Health Expenditure Database and UNICEF Statistics, 2011 promote greater access to ECEC, which has been shown to have a long-term impact on children’s development. Policy Options to Strengthen the Enabling Environment for ECD in Azerbaijan Policy Goal 2: Implementing Widely Policy Levers: Scope of Programs | Coverage | Equity SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 12 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Implementing Widely refers to the scope of ECD ECD programs are established to benefit all relevant programs available, the extent of coverage (as a share of beneficiaries in Azerbaijan. Notably, interventions are the eligible population) and the degree of equity within established that serve parents and caregivers, pregnant ECD service provision. By definition, a focus on ECD women, and young children across all sectors of ECD involves (at a minimum) interventions in health, nutrition, (Table 5). Attention is also given to vulnerable families. education, and social and child protection, and should The next step would be to know how these programs are target pregnant women, young children and their parents implemented and monitored. Azerbaijan can learn from and caregivers. A robust ECD policy should include Chile’s example to implement comprehensive ECD programs in all essential sectors; provide comparable services that are widespread (Box 5). coverage and equitable access across regions and socioeconomic status – especially reaching the most Table 5: Scope of ECD Interventions in Azerbaijan by disadvantaged young children and their families. target population and sector Sectors Parents/ Pregnant Children Children (3-6) Caregivers Women (1-3) Policy Lever 2.1: Scope of Programs Conditional cash transfer programs; family cash benefits; paid maternity Social and leave; targeted social assistance for low-income families Established Child Promotion of Birth registration Housing and care interventions for Protection parent-child vulnerable children relationship for vulnerable families Effective ECD systems have programs established in all Health Parenting Prenatal and Compulsory immunizations; essential sectors and ensure that every child and programs; skilled delivery childhood wellness, growth home visiting care; mental monitoring and promotion programs expecting mothers have guaranteed access to the programs health services essential services and interventions they need to live Nutrition Breastfeed- ing Salt iodization Exclusive breastfeeding Feeding programs at healthfully. The scope of programs assesses the extent to promotion under 6 months; preschools; feeding at ECEC micronutrient which ECD programs across key sectors reach all facilities; support; salt beneficiaries. Figure 6 presents a summary of the key micronutrient iodization support; salt interventions needed to support young children and their iodization families via different sectors at different stages in a child’s Education Parent engagement; family-based ECEC Nurseries Kindergartens; School life. Readiness Program (5-6- year-olds) Figure 6: Essential interventions during different Source: SABER-ECD Data Collection Instrument, 2018 periods of young children's development Source: World Bank SABER-ECD Framework Paper, 2013 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 13 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Box 5: Chile Crece Contigo (CHCC) and Nobody’s Perfect Chile Crece Contigo (Chile grows with you) is an integrated service delivery network that responds on a timely and relevant basis to children’s developmental needs and their families’ requirements for support. CHCC tracks each child’s developmental trajectory starting during pregnancy until they enter preschool (at 4 years old). In 2017, CHCC was extended until the end of the first cycle of elementary school (through grade 4). CHCC provides universal and differentiated services depending on child and family needs to achieve ECD objectives. A well-developed Management Information System (MIS) supports tracking activities including referrals that is accessible across ECD sectors. Tracking starts during the mother’s initial prenatal check-up, at which point an individual scorecard is created for the child. Each of the primary actors within the CCC service network – including the family support unit, public health system, public education system, and other social services – have access to the child’s file and are required to update it as the child progresses through the different ECD services. If there is a risk of vulnerability, such as inadequate nutrition, the system identifies the required service to address the risk. Examples of services provided include prenatal care, regular health check-ups for young children, parenting education and interventions, early childhood education and care programs, specialized services for vulnerable children and families, technical aids for children with disabilities, modalities for children with developmental delays or deficits, and educational outreach for the whole population. Since its inception in 2007, the program has expanded considerably and is considered successful. By 2009, the number of municipalities participating in the program grew by more than twofold and the number of children reached aged 0-6 was around 870,000, including children from 60 percent of the most vulnerable households. Of particular interest of the CHCC program is the parenting education component Nadie es Perfecto. Parenting practices are key determinants of the physical and socio-emotional health of children, and they are particularly important in the early years. Rapid social and lifestyle changes, increased female labor force participation, increased hours at work for both parents, and the gradual disappearance of the extended family as a traditional source of informal support, are increasing the pressures on parenting practices of families living in the so-called emerging economies. Nadie es Perfecto is based on is based on the application of the most widely disseminated parenting program in Canada ( Nobody’s Perfect). Nobody’s Perfect is a parenting education program that has been developed Public Health Agency of Canada. It was introduced in the early 1980s in a few locations, and since 1987 it has been offered in the whole country. It targets mainly parents with children aged 0 to 5 who live in poor and isol ated conditions. Evaluation of the program has found that Nobody’s Perfect contributes to improvement in a number of parental outcomes (decrease in negative or punitive practices, and improved parental ability to cope with parenting stressors, problem solving ability and perceptions of social support) that are potentially associated with superior child outcomes (Chislett and Kennet 2007; Skrypnek and Charchun 2009). The basic Nobody’s Perfect parenting program is composed of 6 to 8 group-based parent education sessions. The group sessions are lead by a trained facilitator. The program employs adult education strategies to enhance participation and learning, building on strengths, and limits the use of didactics. Participating parents identify preferred parenting topics which are then emphasized in the sessions by the facilitator. The basic topics will include: (i) positive parenting, (ii) increase parent’s understanding of children’s health, safety, and behavior , (iii) help parents build on the skills they have and learn new ones, (iv) improve parent’s self-esteem and coping skills, (v) increase parents’ self-help and mutual support, (vi) create a stimulating/learning environment, (vii) help prevent family violence, and (viii) bring parents in contact with community services and resources. Each of the set themes has (a) clear learning objectives (key messages), (b) in-session hands-on activities, (c) set learning materials for the facilitators, and (d) home-work activities. Group discussions are supplemented by parent education booklets that are provided to participants. Implications for Azerbaijan: • The GoA can consider implementing more integrated and comprehensive ECD services for greater reach to all families • Establishing an integrated monitoring information system (MIS) with a referral system could help to make sure every child receives adequate ECD services • In addition, learnings from Chile’s Nobody’s Perfect program can be modeled to strengthen parenting programs on ECD, especially for vulnerable families Source: Government of Canada and Government of Chile 44 44 Nobody’s perfect. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public -health/services/health-promotion/childhood-adolescence/parent/nobody-perfect.html and Chile Crece Contigo. Retrieved from http://www.crececontigo.gob. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 14 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Comprehensive ECD health programs exist targeting Problems promotes parent-child relationships in all beneficiary groups. Essential health services are vulnerable families through their work in the Family and provided to women at each stage of pregnancy with Children Centers. While the GoA offers considerable prenatal and skilled delivery care and depression benefits to families, it can learn from child support models screening and services for new parents. Parenting that other governments have launched to support parents programs at health or community centers and home (Box 6). visiting programs provide parents and caregivers with important education on child health and development. Box 6: Non-tax benefits to support parents with Finally, a complete course of immunizations is required of young children young children and well-child visits are in place. Child and social protection support to parents is crucial to facilitate an affordable access to ECD services. Child However, more can be done to increase the scope of benefit payments are often provided in the form of a nutrition programs. Currently, interventions to improve monthly allowance until the child reaches a certain age or nutrition are mostly directed toward feeding programs at in the form of bonuses at the time of birth of the child. ECEC facilities, followed by breastfeeding promotion, About 84 economies out of a dataset of 189 provide child micronutrient support for young children, and salt allowances or support to parents with variation across iodization. Information is not given about food regions. Most OECD high income and Europe and Central supplements for children and mothers, micronutrient Asia economies provide non-tax benefits to parents to support for expecting mothers or the extent of healthy support children, accounting to 94 percent and 92 percent eating and exercise programs to fight childhood obesity. of the economies respectively. No economies in South Asia provide such benefits.50 National mechanisms are established to provide essential education programs. With the goal of Governments also grant allowances specifically for the promoting effective parent engagement in ECD use of childcare. 29 out of the 100 countries examined by programs, the Education Law mandates a parental board the 2018 Women, Business and the Law report provide at Preschool Education Institutions (PSEIs). The childcare allowances specifically for the use of childcare regulation considers parents as participants of the to parents. In 2017, the United Kingdom introduced a new education process.45 Moreover, several different types of scheme to support working parents with childcare. ECEC programs and formats exist including full and half- Parents eligible for the Tax-Free Childcare scheme can day public and private programs for children and family set up an online childcare service account to pay for programs. Most children in public preschools attend full registered or approved childcare providers. The day programs, combining care and early learning government contributes USD 2.90 for every USD 11.61 a services. parent pays into their Childcare Account. In some economies, the allowance is granted to the parents while Several child and social protection programs exist in others it is granted directly to the childcare provider. In although more could be done to support families with Finland, for example, the government provides a private children. According to the Presidential Instructive Order daycare allowance for children under school age not parents are allotted a one-time child birth allowance of 90 enrolled in a municipal daycare center. While the AZN. 46 In addition, under the Tax Code, the taxable allowance is claimed by parents, it is paid directly to the monthly income of a spouse caring for three persons private day care provider. under the age of 23 shall be reduced by an amount equivalent to 50 AZN.47 The GoA also provides benefits Source: Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2017 for low-income families with children under the age of 1.48 Women with more than 5 children are entitled to social benefits until the child reaches 18 years of age.49 Finally, the State Committee on Family, Women and Children 45 48 Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 31.0.3, accessed Law on Social Benefits, Art. 7.0.10, accessed December 1, 2017, November 20, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244 http://www.e-qanun.az/framework/11508 46 49 Presidential Instructive Order No. 973 of August 29 2013, accessed Law on Social Benefits, Art. 7.0.10-3, accessed December 1, 2017, November 21, 2017, http://www.e-qanun.az/framework/11508 50 http://www.sspf.gov.az/view.php?lang=az&menu=118&id=367 World Bank Group. Women, Business and the Law data to be 47 Tax Code, Art. 102.5, accessed November 21, 2017, published in February 2018. http://www.taxes.gov.az/modul.php?name=qanun&cat=3&lang=_eng 1 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 15 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Key programs in Azerbaijan are summarized in Table 6. The table indicates that while a range of ECD interventions exist, coverage is not yet universal or known. Table 6: ECD programs and coverage in Azerbaijan ECD Programs and Coverage in Azerbaijan Scale At scale ECD Intervention Pilot Scaling Universal in programs Nationally coverage some regions Education Publicly-provided early childhood care and education X51 Publicly-subsidized early childhood care and education X Privately-provided early childhood care and education X Community-based early childhood care and education X52 X53 Capacity building intervention for ECCE54 X Health Prenatal healthcare X Labor and delivery X Comprehensive immunizations for infants X Childhood wellness and growth monitoring X Advocacy for universal access to maternal and child health care X 55 Capacity building intervention on quality of child health services X Nutrition Micronutrient support for pregnant women Food supplements for pregnant women Micronutrient support for young children X Food supplements for young children 51 Please refer to the Statistical Yearbook on Children in Azerbaijan (2017) which includes a separate paragraph on the provision of preschool education(KGs) by regions https://www.stat.gov.az/menu/6/statistical_yearbooks/source/children_2017.zip 52 UNICEF Azerbaijan piloted community –based preschool education centers in selected regions starting from 2015 (refer to the UNICEF annual report 2016 (https://www.unicef.org/about/annualreport/files/Azerbaijan_2016_COAR.pdf). At the same time UAFA, local NGO, specializing on the work for children with special needs, also piloted community-based ECCE in selected regionshttp://www.uafa.az/uafahub/pre-school-education/ (the UAFA report was submitted earlier) 53 The Law on Social Services (2011) gives grounds to various organizations, legal entities to launch a number of social services to underprivileged group (e.g. targeted at orphans, children with special needs, both mental and physical, children from low income families etc.) in the most disadvantaged communities. Each year the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Populations open tendering process (so called social order) to launch a social service in the particular districts (e.g. day care centres for children from poor households, social and psychological rehabilitation centres, support centres for children-victims of domestic violence, family-type small group homes). http://www.mlspp.gov.az/en/pages/4/24/information/84 http://www.mlspp.gov.az/az/pages/772 ( a list of social services advertised by MoLSPP in 2018) 54 The Government funded “School Readiness Program” includes capacity building activities(teacher trainings) for primary school teachers who will teach in preprimary groups for children aged 5. 55 UNICEF strengthened the capacity of health-care professionals from the majority of Baku’s child poly-clinics by introducing them to the International Guide for Monitoring of Child Development (IGMCD). This resulted in the application of modern approaches to early interventions to prevent child disabilities, and in improved detection and timely referral of children with developmental delays. Consequently, doctor-patient partnerships were enhanced, leading to wider use of social approaches for early interventions. Referrals to the Children Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre (CRTC) of children 0 –3 years old who are at risk of disability increased by 40 per cent. The Ministry of Health (MoH) was supported in developing a tool to monitor the International Live Birth Definition (ILBD), which indicated a need to enhance the knowledge and skills of health-care professionals in applying the definition. ((UNICEF Azerbaijan Annual Report 2015) https://www.unicef.org/about/annualreport/files/Azerbaijan_2015_COAR.pdf UNICEF Azerbaijan provided technical assistance for the institutionalisation of the International Guide for Monitoring Child Development with the Pediatric Development Department of Ankara University. This will become a mandatory course for all pediatricians during in-service training. 6 master-trainers (pediatricians) were trained in ToT by Ankara University specialists to facilitate this course nationally. (UNICEF Azerbaijan Annual Report 2016) https://www.unicef.org/about/annualreport/files/Azerbaijan_2016_COAR.pdf 1 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 16 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Food fortification56 X Breastfeeding promotion programs X Anti-obesity programs encouraging healthy eating/exercise X Feeding programs in preprimary schools X Parenting Parenting integrated into health/community programs X Home visiting programs to provide parenting messages X Special Needs Programs for OVCs X57 Interventions for children with special needs 58 X Advocacy and capacity building intervention for provision of care to children X with special needs59 Comprehensive A comprehensive system that tracks individual children’s needs and intervenes, as necessary Source: SABER-ECD Data Collection Instrument, 2018 Policy Lever 2.2: Coverage Access to critical health interventions for young Established children is emerging. With the exception of DPT immunization, Azerbaijan performs well below peers in providing access to important health interventions (Figure 7). About 94 percent of all 1-year-olds in Azerbaijan are A robust ECD policy should establish programs in all immunized for DPT, an indicator of the success of the essential sectors, ensure high degrees of coverage and national immunization program. However, only 36 percent reach the entire population equitably–especially the most of children with suspected pneumonia receive antibiotics disadvantaged young children–so that every child and and 11 percent of children under 5 years old with diarrhea expecting mother have guaranteed access to essential receive oral rehydration salts, suggesting the need for ECD services. better access to primary healthcare services for some families. Pregnant women have some access to essential health interventions, but coverage can be improved. Very few births in Azerbaijan occur without a skilled attendant present (3 percent). However, only 66 percent of women receive at least four prenatal care visits, which indicates more can be done to inform women about important steps they can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy and protect their infant. Most women who are HIV positive (87 percent) receive antiretroviral therapy to prevent mother-to-child transmission.60 56 Law on Salt Iodination 57 Although orphanages and other forms of institutionalized care are located mainly in cities, it covers children deprived of parental care from all over the country. The same is for SOS Children’s Villages (Baku, Ganja), Small Group Homes (Baku, Lenkoran). In addition, State Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs owns 11 Children and Family Support centers (Shuvalan, Goranboy, Zagatala, Gabala, Ismayilli, Agdam, Hajigabul, Saatli, Sabirabad, Zardab). These Centers were initially launched and piloted by the Save the Children, later on were handed over to SCFWCA. These centers as alternative care models are not service providers rather service-oriented hubs to support disadvantaged community groups (children, women, families), especially in the settings where no services are available. The centers support children with special needs and their families, children deprived of parental care, minors under social danger and their families, IDPs and refugee children and their families, children whose parents are victims of Garabagh war, children from care institutions, abused children (victims of violence), children of single parent (caregiver), low income families. 58 UAFA, a local NGO, has been running community-based rehabilitation centers (7) since 2004 in different regions of the country aimed at achieving inclusion, social integration, access, rehabilitation of children with disabilities. After the adoption of Law on Social Services (2011), these centers are financially supported by the Government (Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Populations). More information is http://www.uafa.az/uafahub/community-based-rehabilitation/ 59 UAFA ‘s advocacy efforts on children with special needs (see the report) 60 UNAIDS. Azerbaijan: coverage of women HIV+ who receive ARV for PMTCT, accessed on September 26, 2018, http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/ SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 17 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Figure 7: Regional comparison of level of access to Figure 8: Regional comparison of level of access to essential health services for young children and essential nutrition services for young children and pregnant women pregnant women 100 100 80 80 60 60 40 40 20 20 0 Azerbaijan Georgia kyrgystan Ukraine 0 Pregnant women receiving prenatal care (at least four times) Azerbaijan Georgia kyrgystan Ukraine Percentage of children exclusively breastfed until 6 Percentage of children 1 years old immunized against DPT months old (DPT3ß) Percentage of infants with low birth weight Percentage of children under 5 years old with suspected pneumonia receiving antibiotics Percentage of households consuming iodized salt Percentage of children under 5 years old with diarrhea receiving oral rehydration and continued feeding Percentage of children under 5 years old suffering from Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 moderate and severe stunting Azerbaijan has considerable room for improving Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 access to nutrition interventions necessary for healthy early childhood development . Breast milk is Preschool education coverage in Azerbaijan is low considered to be the best method to ensure an infant’s and has remained stagnant. Even though by law intake of all the nutrients and calories for proper growth children are entitled to receive preschool education, the and development. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan has the level of access to preschool education in Azerbaijan lowest percentage of infants exclusively breastfeeding remains far beyond universal (only 21 percent). Since until 6 months of age (12 percent) among regional peers 2005, preschool enrollment rates for 3-6-year-olds has (Figure 8). Further, consumption of iodized salt, which is not improved in the country and access for 0-2-year-olds also critical to healthy development is also low at 54 is almost nonexistent (Figure 9). Although, the region is percent. Meanwhile, the rate of moderate and severe characterized by a large disparity in ECEC access, stunting of children under 5 and the percentage of infants Azerbaijan, along with Kyrgyzstan have coverage levels born with low birth weights are among the highest, in the lowest echelon, while Bulgaria and the Russian indicating malnutrition in young children. Federation have achieved coverage levels as high as 82.9 percent and 81.7 percent, respectively (Figure 10). Moreover, in the last fifteen years, countries in the region managed to improve access to preschool by 16 percentage points on average. However, Azerbaijan was the least improved with only about 5 percentage points gained. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 18 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Figure 9: Gross enrollment rate of children aged 0-2 Figure 10: Net preschool enrollment rate and 3-6 (3-6-year-olds) 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Moldova Azerbaijan Kyrgyzstan Source: TransMonEE Database, 2016 Tajikistan Uzbekistan Source: TransMonEE Database, 2016 Note: 2006 net enrollment is latest data available for Georgia Despite having a lower GDP per capita, peer countries, such as Moldova and Ukraine have a much higher preschool enrollment rate compared to Azerbaijan (Figure 11). This shows that alongside countries, such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Macedonia, Azerbaijan needs to pay increased attention to preschool coverage. An analysis on the existence of informal childcare establishments/spaces or any cultural specificities that tell us more about the demand for formal PSEIs. Figure 11: Preschool enrollment rate (3-6-year-olds) in relation to GDP per capita, 2014/15 100 Latvia, 91.8 Slovenia, 90.1 Estonia, 88.5 90 Bulgaria, 82.9 Romania, 84 Moldova, 82.3 Czech Republic, 84.6 Hungary, 82 Russia, 81.7 80 Ukraine, 74.5 Poland, 72.6 Preschool Net Enrollment Rate 70 Croatia, 62.8 Serbia, 58 Kazakhstan, 59.8 60 50 Montenegro, 40.7 40 30 Kyrgyzstan, 24.1 Macedonia, 25.9 Uzbekistan, 19.8 Azerbaijan 20.8 20 Tajikistan, 7.9 10 0 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 GDP Per Capita, PPP Source: TransMonEE Database, 2016 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 19 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 An analysis of PISA data shows that better learning with Individual Identification Number (IIN) and accordingly outcomes in Azerbaijan are associated with more years with Electronic Health Card (E-health card). of preschool education (Figures 12). Simulations suggest that reaching a 100 percent preschool coverage would Figure 13: Regional comparison of level of access to only increase Azerbaijan’s PISA performance by 6 points, birth registration after controlling for the effect of socioeconomic characteristics. Furthermore, studies show preschool to Azerbaijan have a larger effect on disadvantaged groups. However, 100 the effects of increasing the quality of preschool programs 98 in Azerbaijan —including through better teacher training and development—could be higher than what it is Bulgaria 96 Georgia currently. The findings suggest the need to focus on 94 increasing both access and quality in preschool 92 education. 90 Figure 12: Azerbaijan's improvement in PISA reading scores if the proportion of students with more than Russian one year of preschool education increases kyrgystan Federaton 6 Gain in PISA science scores Ukraine 4 Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 Policy Lever 2.3: Equity Emerging 2 Based on the robust evidence of the positive effects ECD 0 interventions can have for children from disadvantaged 25% 50% 75% 100% backgrounds, every government should pay special % Students with more than one year of attention to equitable provision of ECD services. One of preschool education the fundamental goals of any ECD policy should be to provide equitable opportunities to all young children and their families. Source: World Bank staff calculations using PISA database, 2009 (latest data available) Access to ECEC is highly inequitable at the sub- Birth registration is also not universal. Despite the national level. An analysis of ECEC access at the sub- government of Azerbaijan mandating the registration of national level reveals that Baku, the capital and largest children at birth, coverage is not yet reaching all new city of Azerbaijan, has a net enrollment rate of about 33 parents.61 Birth registration among most peer countries is percent, which is above the 21 percent national average universal (Figure 13). The ASAN Service, a state agency (Figure 14). Meanwhile, access remains much lower in for government services for Azerbaijan citizens the rest of the country, particularly in the North (in regions administers birth registration outreach through its mobile surrounding Baku) and the South and Southwest, with services and allows citizens to directly request the mobile access ranging from 1 percent to 5 percent. The service, which has improved coverage. However, there is enrollment rate is also significantly lower in rural areas as not enough information available to confirm the scale of compared to urban areas (7 percent vs. 21 percent). Low this initiative. 62 This may improve however, since the coverage of children, especially in rural areas is ASAN annual report 2017 provides newly born children discouraging given the national strategic goal of the 61 62 The Family Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (1999). In addition, State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations, accessed on Azerbaijan joined the European Convention on Legal Status of Children May 11, 2018, http://www.asan.gov.az/en/service/asan- born out of wedlock (2000). xidmetler/vetendasliq-veziyyeti-aktlarinin-doevlet-qeydiyyati/dogumun- qeyde-alinmasi SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 20 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 School Readiness Program to include 90 percent of Figure 15: Percentage of available seats in children age 5 in preschool education by 2020. 63 preschool at the sub-national level Figure 14: Preschool enrollment at the sub-national level Source: Moore, K., Markovic, J., Aggio, C., van Ravens, J., and Ponguta, A. Country Brief Report: Azerbaijan, 2018 Source: Moore, et al. Country Brief Report, 2018 National policies are in place to provide inclusive education, though more can be done to promote However, there is room to increase access to PSEIs access for all children. Special education standards are using available resources. In most of the localities, the designed for the education of individuals with special occupancy rate is an interval between 75 to 100 percent.64 needs.65 According to the Law on the Rights of a Child, Therefore, 16,124 seats total (or 14 percent) are still the state takes measures to assess the abilities of available within the existing PSEI capacities (21 percent children with special needs, establish specific in urban and 7 percent in rural settlements), which scholarships for them, create and finance a system of suggests that the enrolment rate might be improved for special educational institutions. 66 However, there is still a children aged 1-6 without a large investment in new stigma on the inclusion of children with special needs in facilities (Figure 15). It is interesting to note, five localities mainstream education system. Additionally, the which have about 62 percent of the total available seats: curriculum and teaching materials are not translated into Khatai district (Baku) 4,514; Ganja city (Ganja-Gazakh) other languages other than Azerbaijani. While 93 percent 3,105; Lankaran city (Lankaran) 910; Sumgayit city of the population speak Azerbaijani, ethnic minorities and (Absheron) 791; and Mingachevir city (Aran) 665. On a immigrants may be left behind. positive note, despite these large disparities at the sub- national level, enrolment is gender neutral. Both boys and There are more notable disparities in access to ECD girls stand a fair chance of enrolling in preschool (23 vs. services by socioeconomic status than between rural 24 percent gross enrollment, accordingly). and urban areas. Women in the top quintile are more likely to have skilled attendants when delivering (100 percent vs. 90 percent) and register their children at birth (97 percent vs. 92 percent) (Figure 16). Moreover, the rate of stunting in children under 5 years old is higher for the bottom quintile (28 percent vs. 16 percent), suggesting inequitable access to nutrition. In terms of rural and urban areas, there are small differences in access to ECD services (Figure 17). For instance, the rate of birth registration in urban areas is 96 percent and 92 63 UNICEF Country Brief Report: Azerbaijan, 2018. on Special Education, accessed on June 1, 2018, http://www.e- 64 Ibid. qanun.az/framework/4353 65 Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Art. 6.7, accessed 66 November 22, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/451/5244; Law Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Child Rights, Art. 23, accessed December 1, 2017, http://www.e-qanun.az/framework/3292 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 21 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 percent in rural areas; the rate of improved sanitation the OECD to provide comprehensive ECD support to facilities is 92 percent in urban areas vs. 87 percent in all families. rural areas. Coverage Figure 16: Access to ECD services and outcomes by ➢ Special measures need to be considered by the socioeconomic quintiles GoA to increase the net enrollment rate and quality 100 in preschool. Given that Azerbaijan’s preschool enrollment is low relative to other peers in the region 80 and with similar GDP per capita, it may be useful to 60 learn how other countries in the region have managed to achieve fairly high preschool enrollment. Moreover, 40 an examination of the demand and supply side barriers 20 to enrollment is advised to improve coverage 0 nationwide. Quality should also be emphasized as Birth registration Skilled attendant Stunting PISA simulations suggest that not only access, but (%) at birth (%) prevalance in quality of preschool education contributes to higher children under 5 student performance down the road. (%) ➢ Improve access to health and nutrition Richest 20% Poorest 20% interventions for families. While the GoA has established many essential health and nutrition Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 programs for pregnant women and young children, it could do more to guarantee access to critical health Figure 17: Access to ECD services by rural/urban services and nutrition to lower the relatively higher location in Azerbaijan levels of childhood stunting and low birth weight in the 100 country. 80 60 Equity 40 ➢ The GoA could conduct an analysis to better understand the reasons for the disparities in ECD 20 coverage across all sectors. Based on the findings 0 from the analysis, the government may consider Birth registration Skilled attendant Population using strategies to improve coordination of efforts to (%) at birth (%) improved accommodate the needs of children most sanitation facilities marginalized, including children from low (%) socioeconomic background, children in more remote urban Rural areas, and children with special needs. Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 Policy Goal 3: Monitoring and Assuring Quality Policy Options to Implement ECD Widely in Azerbaijan Policy Levers: Data Availability | Quality Standards | Compliance with Standards Scope of Programs ➢ The scope of nutrition programs could be Monitoring and Assuring Quality refers to the existence of expanded. Several additional types of nutrition information systems to monitor access to ECD services interventions could be established, such as fortification and outcomes across children, standards for ECD of food staples with iron and other nutrients, services and systems to monitor and enforce compliance micronutrient support for pregnant women, and food with those standards. Ensuring the quality of ECD supplements for pregnant women and young children. interventions is vital because evidence has shown that unless programs are of high quality, the impact on ➢ The GoA could do more to support working children can be negligible, or even detrimental. parents with young children. Child and social protection to support parents is crucial to facilitate Policy Lever 3.1: Data Availability affordable access to ECD services. While the GoA Advanced already provides a considerable amount of support to families, it could also apply learnings from Chile’s Grows with You and Nobody’s Perfect programs and SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 22 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Accurate, comprehensive and timely data collection can Table 7: Availability of data to monitor ECD in promote more effective policy-making. Well-developed Azerbaijan information systems can improve decision-making. In Administrative Data: particular, data can inform policy choices regarding the Indicator Tracked volume and allocation of public financing, staff recruitment ECEC enrollment rates by region ✓ and training, program quality, adherence to standards and Children enrolled in ECEC by gender ✓ efforts to target children most in need. (number of) Children enrolled in ECEC by mother ✓ Relevant administrative and survey data are collected tongue language (number of) on access to ECD and differentiated by beneficiary Special needs children enrolled in ECEC ✓ groups, but could be elaborated. Considerable (number of) administrative data in Azerbaijan is collected annually Children attending well-child visits X across different service providers to assess access to (number of) ECD and outcomes (Table 7). Azerbaijan also collects Children benefitting from public nutrition X many important ECD survey data through its participation interventions (number of) in UNICEF’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) , Women receiving prenatal nutrition X which can allow for comparisons between rural and urban interventions (number of) areas and the wealthiest and poorest families. However, Average per child-to-teacher ratio in ✓ the GoA could consider expanding the types of ECD data public ECEC it collects to include other critical indicators, such as the Children in child protection system ✓ number of children benefiting from well-child visits, the (number of) number of children and pregnant women receiving Is ECEC spending in education sector ✓ nutrition interventions, and the number of children enrolled in ECEC by socioeconomic group. In the differentiated within education budget? process, the GoA should also push for the reporting of Is ECD spending in health sector X ECD spending in other sectors, such as the health sector. differentiated within health budget? Survey Data Indicator Tracked Population consuming iodized salt ✓ (percent) Vitamin A Supplementation rate for ✓ children 0-83 months (percent) Anemia prevalence amongst pregnant ✓ women (percent) Children below the age of 5 registered at ✓ birth (percent) Children immunized against DPT3 at age ✓ 12 months (percent) Pregnant women who attend four ✓ antenatal visits (percent) Children enrolled in ECEC by X socioeconomic status (percent) Source: SABER-ECD Data Collection Instrument, 2018 Individual data are collected across key child development indicators. Preschools typically conduct an internal assessment of knowledge, ability and habits of each child periodically in the following order: diagnostic (initial); formative (current) and summative (final). The evaluation incorporates key areas of child development SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 23 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 including physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social ensure the preschool curriculum is coherent with the development, and approaches to learning.67 primary curriculum. Policy Lever 3.2: Quality Standards Qualifications and access to professional Established development have been established for ECEC professionals, both public and private. In Azerbaijan, kindergarten professionals should have a minimum of a secondary VET degree or higher.72 Moreover, pre-service Ensuring quality ECD service provision is essential. A fieldwork and in-service training for all ECEC focus on access – without a commensurate focus on professionals is encouraged and teachers are ensuring quality – jeopardizes the very benefits that encouraged to upgrade their knowledge and skills through policymakers hope children will gain through ECD in-service trainings every 5 years. Trainings are provided interventions. The quality of ECD programs is directly by government-sponsored, private, and internationally- related to better cognitive and social development in sponsored institutions. The MoE's Preschool Department children.68 and Institute of Education are main stakeholders involved in designing kindergarten programs. While state All health workers are required to complete training standards and national curriculum are approved by the in delivering ECD messages. Every 5th year doctor must Cabinet of Ministers. For example, the Curriculum on go through in-service training at the State Doctors' In- Preschool Education (2016) has been developed and Service Institute. For pediatricians, the four-week training submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval, which is based on specific modules on child growth and is still pending. development, nutrition, and health treatment and diseases. In addition, the MoH oversees the certification Service delivery standards for ECEC facilities have process of healthcare professionals (both doctors and been established, but are not mandatory. According to nurses) with two stages: test examination and interview. international standards, optimal learning environment is As for psychologists, their training is under the MoE or achieved with an average child-teacher ratio not private training providers. Extension health service exceeding 1:15 in preschool education. In Azerbaijan, the workers are non-existent in Azerbaijan. State Standard and Program of Preschool Education does not set guidelines for the child-to-teacher ratio, In Azerbaijan, clear learning standards for ECEC are however, it establishes limits on the number of children in place. According to the World Bank’s Measuring Early according to the preschool program. For instance, 1:15 Learning Quality and Outcomes (MELQO) project, which for nurseries, 1:20 for kindergartens, and 1:7 for family- was initiated in 2014 to generate comparative data on based ECD programs. 73 Further, the law does not children’s learning and development and quality of mandate specific opening hours for ECEC facilities, but it preschool learning environments, key domains identified provides options for opening hours ranging from 9 to 24 for measuring young children’s development include hours and requires ECEC facilities to operate 5 or 6 days cognitive, socioemotional, language, motor development, per week. Standardizing service delivery can help to and self-regulation (i.e. self-control).69 In line with these ensure equity and quality of ECEC, especially as the findings, the MoE has established a set of learning provision of private preschool institutions is growing. standards and national framework for basic ECEC Lessons can be learned from Georgia on setting curriculum. 70 The curriculum is play-based and takes a necessary quality requirements (Box 7). holistic approach to learning, incorporating activities to develop skills in each of the key development domains. For example, mathematics, speech development, literacy, sensory development, music, arts/drawing, movement development, and interaction with the social and physical environment.71 Effort has also been taken to 67 71 The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Art. 6, The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Art. 7.7, accessed November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 accessed November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 68 72 Taylor & Bennett, 2008; Bryce et al, 2003; Naudeau et al., 2011; The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Arts. 5.2, Victoria et al, 2003 5.3 and 5.4, accessed November 16, 2017, 69 http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 World Bank. 2016. Measuring Child Development and Early Learning. 73 Washington, DC: World Bank The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Art. 2.4, 70 The State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Art. 7.13, accessed November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 accessed November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 24 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Box 7: ECEC service delivery in Georgia Most ECEC educators and caregivers meet In Georgia, public ECEC facilities operate for 9 hours with professional qualifications standards. Of the 12,663 3 meals a day. Moreover, preschool education facilities caregivers and educators in public ECEC centers, 91 are required to follow standardized child-to-teacher ratio, percent are compliant with the educational requirements which are in line with international guidelines and are of ECEC professionals (Figure 18). Most ECEC personnel based on grade level: 1st year of preschool: 1:13; 2nd (53 percent) met the minimum educational requirement of year of preschool: 1:15; 3rd year of preschool: 1:15; 4th post-secondary education (vocational ECD training), year of preschool: 1:15. followed by personnel with higher levels of education including specialized tertiary degree in ECD (23 percent) Implications for Azerbaijan: and a general tertiary degree (15 percent). However, 9 • The ECEC service model established in, particularly percent of ECEC teachers only attained an upper the mandatory child-to-teacher ratio and opening secondary degree. Moreover, in-service training is not hours can be considered for regulatory strengthening required for all ECEC teachers, only for primary (not in the Republic of Azerbaijan preschool) school teachers involved in school readiness programs. There is also no data available on post-training Source: Government of Georgia, 2017 monitoring of how teachers applied what they learned during the training. Enforcing the minimum educational Infrastructure standards are in place in ECEC centers. requirement and standards for in-service training for all The Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Sanitary- ECEC personnel, could help to ensure quality ECEC. Epidemiological Welfare sets sanitary-epidemiological welfare guidelines for all private and public Figure 18: Share of ECEC caregivers and educators establishments in the country and monitors by level of qualification implementation of the law. According to this legislation, conditions of education of children in preschool and other Specialized Upper public institutions must comply with the sanitary norms tertiary secondary degree in school and regulations.74 ECD 9% 23% Registration and accreditation mechanisms are established for public and private ECEC facilities; rigorous standards are set for health facilities. Both Vocational state-owned and private preschool education General ECD establishments need to obtain a special permission tertiary training (license) to operate in Azerbaijan.75 The Education Law of degree 53% the Republic of Azerbaijan sets the licensing and 15% accreditation guidelines for education facilities including preschool education centers providing services for children in the age group 3-6 years. At the same time, Source: SABER-ECD Data Collection Instrument, 2018 specific standards are in place for the construction of health facilities. Public and private ECEC centers comply with service delivery and infrastructure requirements. Public and Policy Lever 3.3: Compliance with Standards private kindergartens are in compliance with construction Established standards. Moreover, all centers are open for the minimum number of operating hours per week. They also seem to comply with the limits on child-to-teacher ratios However, it is important to note, that while licensing and Establishing standards is essential to providing quality accreditation processes exist for ECEC centers to begin ECD services and to promoting the healthy development operating, inspections are not routinely performed of children. Once standards have been established, it is afterwards. Thus, it would be helpful to know the extent to critical that mechanisms are put in place to ensure which compliance with standards and laws are followed in compliance with standards. practice. 74 75 Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Sanitary-Epidemiological State Standard and Program of Preschool Education, Art. 4.4, Welfare, Art. 23, accessed November 21, 2017, accessed November 16, 2017, http://edu.gov.az/en/page/255/4371 http://sehiyye.gov.az/salamatlq_haqqnda.html SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 25 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 The Ministry of Education has been working on the Table 8: Comparing ECD policies with outcomes in development of quality standards which will be submitted Azerbaijan to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval. The Accreditation ECD Policies Outcomes process is scheduled for 2019. This is to carry out the Nutrition accreditation of preschool education institutions: quality ❖ Azerbaijan’s policies standards will be developed, educators’ qualifications, comply with the Rate of exclusive their professional level will be assessed, the breastfeeding until the International Code of infrastructure, physical facilities will be checked. age of 6 months: 12 Marketing of Breast Teachers’ diagnostic assessment will also be a part of the Milk Substitutes percent accreditation process. Health ❖ Young children are Policy Options to Assure ECD Quality in Children immunized required to receive a with DPT Azerbaijan complete course of (1-year-old): 94 childhood percent Data Availability immunizations ➢ The government could expand data collection to ❖ National policy Percentage of track additional levels of access to ECD services mandates the households and the level of ECD investment across all sectors. iodization of salt for consuming iodized salt: While a considerable amount of administrative and human consumption 54 percent survey data is collected, additional data that may be Child Protection helpful to track include the number of children ❖ National policy benefiting from well-child visits, the number of children mandates the Birth registration rate: and pregnant women receiving nutrition interventions, registration of children 94 percent the number of children enrolled in ECEC by at birth socioeconomic group, and ECD spending in the health Education sector. ❖ Preschool is strongly Preschool/kindergarten encouraged, but not enrollment rate Quality Standards mandatory (children aged 3-6): 21 ➢ The GoA may consider strengthening its service percent delivery and infrastructure requirements. Source: UNICEF Country Statistics, 2016 Learnings from Georgia could be used to mandate child-to-teacher ratios and opening hours for early Benchmarking and International childhood education facilities. Doing so would help to ensure quality of ECEC provision. Comparison of ECD in Azerbaijan Compliance with Standards Table 9 presents the classification of ECD policy in ➢ The government could establish more rigid Azerbaijan within each of the nine policy levers and three compliance mechanisms for ECEC professional policy goals. The SABER-ECD classification system does and infrastructure requirements. It seems that there not rank countries according to any overall scoring. is a high level of compliance for ECEC professional Rather, it is intended to share information on how different requirements and infrastructure and service delivery ECD systems address the same policy challenges. standards. However, more can be done to ensure all ECEC teachers meet the adequate levels of education Table 10 presents the status of ECD policy development requirements and receive in-service training. in Azerbaijan alongside a selection of Europe and Central Moreover, monitoring and evaluation of ECEC facilities Asia (ECA) countries according to World Bank regional after registration and accreditation should be categories. routinized. Comparing Official Policies with Outcomes The existence of laws and policies alone do not always guarantee a correlation with desired ECD outcomes. In many countries, policies on paper and the reality of access and service delivery on the ground are not aligned. Table 8 compares ECD policies in Azerbaijan with ECD outcomes. SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 26 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Table 9: Benchmarking early childhood development policy in Azerbaijan Level of ECD Policy Goal Level of Development Policy Lever Development Legal Framework Establishing an Enabling Intersectoral Environment Coordination  Finance Scope of Programs Implementing Widely  Coverage Equity Data Availability Monitoring and Assuring Quality Standards Quality  Compliance with Standards  Legend: Latent Emerging Established Advanced Table 10: International classification and comparison of ECD systems ECD Policy Policy Level of Development Goal Lever Azerbaijan Bulgaria Kyrgyzstan Macedonia Legal Framework Establishing an Intersectoral Enabling Coordination Environment Finance Scope of Programs Implementing Coverage Widely Equity Data Availability Monitoring Quality and Assuring Standards Quality Compliance with Standards Legend: Latent Emerging Established Advanced SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 27 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 Conclusion are examined in detail and some policy options are identified to strengthen ECD. The SABER-ECD initiative is designed to enable ECD policy makers and development partners to identify Table 11 summarizes the key policy options identified to opportunities for further development of effective ECD inform policy dialogue and improve the provision of systems. The SABER-ECD classification system does not essential ECD services in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has rank countries according to any overall scoring; rather, it notably established many elements of a strong ECD is intended to share information on how different ECD system, including essential healthcare and standards for systems address the same policy challenges. This early childhood education. It may need to strengthen its Country Report presents a framework to compare intersectoral coordination and finance systems. The Azerbaijan’s ECD system with other countries in the country’s biggest challenge may be how to expand region and internationally. Each of the nine policy levers preschool enrollment—especially to children from poor families—while maintaining quality. Table 11: Comparing ECD policies with outcomes in Azerbaijan Policy Policy Options and Recommendations Dimension • Establish regulation to fortify staples with iron to address anemia and improve nutrition • Develop a phased approach to transition toward universal and mandatory preschool education for all children of preschool age Establishing an • Leverage existing ECD institutional anchor to design a comprehensive intersectoral ECD Enabling framework Environment • Establish per capita based financing for ECEC, including the development of performance- based indicators, and a more explicit budget planning system across government bodies for greater transparency, efficiency, and equity. • Consider increasing financing for ECEC comparable to peers • Expand nutrition programs to include fortification of food staples with iron and other nutrients, micronutrient support for pregnant women, and food supplements for pregnant women and young children • Support families with young children by providing comprehensive ECD services supporting all preschool age children and parents Implementing • Study how other countries in the region have managed to achieve fairly high preschool Widely enrollment and quality; examine the demand and supply side barriers to enrollment in the country • Improve access to health and nutrition interventions for families to lower the rate of childhood stunting and low birth weight • Conduct an analysis to better understand the reasons for the disparities in ECD coverage across all sectors • Expand data collection to track additional levels of access to ECD services and the level of ECD investment across all sectors. Additional data that may be helpful to track include the number of children benefiting from well-child visits, proportion of children the number of children and pregnant women receiving nutrition interventions, the number of children Monitoring and enrolled in ECEC by socioeconomic group, and ECD spending in the health sector Assuring • Strengthen service delivery and infrastructure requirements with set requirements for child-to- Quality teacher ratios and opening hours for ECEC facilities • Set minimum standards and ensure adherence to standards through regular professional inspections. • The fully digitalized platform VEMTAS or an initiative like ASAN platforms can be used to monitor ECD in Azerbaijan. Acknowledgements Practice, World Bank), Micheline Frias (Consultant, Education Global Practice, World Bank), Anna Kalashyan This Country Report was prepared (in alphabetical order) (Consultant, Education Global Practice, World Bank), by Karina Acevedo, (Consultant, Education Global Shizuka Kunimoto (Junior Professional Officer, Education Global Practice, World Bank), and Saida Nabiyeva SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 28 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 (Consultant, Education Global Practice, World Bank), Bryce, J., S. el Arifeen, G. Pariyo, C. F. Lanata, D. under the leadership of Katia Herrera-Sosa (Senior Gwatkin, J.-P. Habicht, and the Multi-Country Economist, Education Global Practice, World Bank). The Evaluation of Imci Study Group. 2003. report presents country data collected using the SABER- “Reducing Child Mortality: Can Public Health ECD policy and program data collection instruments and Deliver?” The Lancet 362: 159–64 data from external sources. Very helpful comments were received by Elvira Anadolu (Senior Health Specialist) and Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Samira Halabi (Senior Education Specialist). This report Azerbaijan. 2015. Accessed November 15, was prepared in consultation with Cristian Aedo and the 2017. http://e-qanun.gov.az/code/24 Government of Azerbaijan. For technical questions or comments about this report, please contact the SABER- Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan № ECD team (helpdeskecd@worldbank.org). 1386 of 2006. 2006. Accessed November 16, 2017. Acronyms http://www.mlspp.gov.az/az/pages/5/30/informati on/65 Decree # 37 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic ECA Europe and Central Asia of Azerbaijan of 2016. 2016. Accessed Early Childhood Care and Education November 16, 2017. (often used synonymously with http://www.mlspp.gov.az/az/pages/6/250 preschool, preprimary education, and ECCE kindergarten) Decree on the State Budget of the Republic of ECD Early Childhood Development Azerbaijan. 2017. Accessed November 30, 2017. http://www.maliyye.gov.az/en/node/965 GoA Government of Azerbaijan Decree on Concepts and Strategies of Continuous MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Pedagogical Education and Teacher Training. MoES Ministry of Education and Science 2007. Accessed February 9, 2018. http://edu.gov.az/upload/file/fasilesiz-pedaqoji- MoH Ministry of Health tehsi- percent20konsepsiyasi.pdf Ministry of Labor and Social Protection MoLSPP of Populations Education Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 2009. 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Accessed December 26, 2017. https://data.worldbank.org/country/azerbaijan World Bank. 2017. “DataBank.” Accessed December 28, 2017. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CAC T.FE.ZS?end=2017&locations=AM-AZ- GE&start=1990&view=chart World Bank. 2017. “Poverty & Equity Data Portal.” Accessed May 3, 2018, http://povertydata.worldbank.org/poverty/country /AZE SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS 32 AZERBAIJAN ǀ EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT SABER COUNTRY REPORT |2018 www.worldbank.org/education/saber The Systems Approach for Better Education Results (SABER) initiative produces comparative data and knowledge on education policies and institutions, with the aim of helping countries systematically strengthen their education systems. SABER evaluates the quality of education policies against evidence-based global standards, using new diagnostic tools and detailed policy data. The SABER country reports give all parties with a stake in educational results—from administrators, teachers, and parents to policymakers and business people—an accessible, objective snapshot showing how well the policies of their country's education system are oriented toward ensuring that all children and youth learn. This report focuses specifically on policies in the area of Early Childhood Development. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. THE WORLD BANK SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR BETTER EDUCATION RESULTS