Publisher

Level 
of 
schools and 
management 
Availability 
of 
the 
Internet in 
schools 
Availability 
of 
high 
quality 
training 
services 
Training and 
development 
of workers 
1 
Switzerland Singapore 
United 
Kingdom 
Iceland 
Switzerland 
Switzerland 
2 
Finland 
Finland 
Belgium 
Estonia 
The 
Netherlands 
Finland 
3 
Singapore 
Belgium 
Switzerland 
Finland 
Austria 
Singapore 
4 
Qatar 
Lebanon 
Spain 
The 
Netherlands 
Germany 
Luxembourg 
5 
Belgium 
Switzerland 
Canada 
Singapore 
Belgium 
Japan 
Estonia 
among 
144 countries 
49. 
19. 
48. 
2. 
39. 
46. 
Source: Estonian Human Development Report 2012-2013
World Economic Forum measures the accordance of education with the needs of economy 
regarding to such factors as the quality of science and economics in schools, access to the Internet 
of the schools, training opportunities related to relevant career building. Estonia demonstrates 
above average results in this measurement as well. According to development of Internet 
2
However, in the Soviet Union exams were written, now entrance exams are with multiple choices solving 

---

Educational Policy in Comparative Perspective: The Case of Estonia and Azerbaijan
 
85 
technologies at schools Estonia initiated the program called Tiger Leap as a result all schools in 
Estonia were provided with computers and Internet access. This initiative was followed by 
improvement teachers’ computer skills and software knowledge.
During 1990s the main reforms done in education were transformation of alphabet from 
Cyrillic to Latin, eliminate the Soviet ideology, release new books, new initiatives and projects on 
teacher trainings in accordance with international organisations, the new centralised entrance 
exam for higher education, discussions on Education Project platform, assistance to poor in 
access to general education. One of the major goals of the government was elimination of 
poverty, which was directly related to education. Moreover, the new tendency in education was 
to continue education after graduation of the secondary school, while the interest to higher 
education increased and in contrast the quality of vocational education declined. With help of 
the World Bank and IDA Azerbaijan held Education Reform Project, which was esteemed as 5.5 
million US dollars. The fundamental objectives of venture were to enhance nature of general 
training, present new showing techniques, change instructor trainings, improve the proficiency 
of administration of assets, give value in instruction, grow decentralization limit and fabricate 
school systems.
Implementation process was characterised with relevant challenges and successful 
outcomes. The new curriculum changes alter relations among students and teachers as well as 
teachers and parents to the positive direction. Other successful aspect of the curricular changes 
was that it benefited for schools to advance students’ abilities and knowledge. The most 
impressive fact from the research on the reforms done in 1990s and early 2000s was that 
educators highlight that active engagement of the children in the classroom and create proper 
environment for learning and critical decision making change the way of education. It 
acknowledges an appropriate transition in educators’ understanding about the system of 
education and might be classified as one of the most essential outcomes of the fulfilment of the 
reforms at schools. 
For instance, according to the survey held by Centre for Innovations in Education, teachers 
resolutely recognized that the fulfilment process of new reforms in curriculum caused to increase 
of interest and inspiration of learners towards to study (79.7%), improvement of comprehension 
of educated materials (65.4%), consider themselves better in classrooms (80.5%), enhance the 
ability to attend in discussions and classroom activities (78.6%) and displaying better results 
(67.5%) [19]. 
Considering all the factors mentioned above, we see evaluation in both states’ education. 
The reforms and attempts towards development yielded successful results. However, as we 
looked through research materials in the field, papers, and national and international reports 
there are some noticeable facts that should be emphasized. First of all, Estonia directed its 
reforms towards European standards both in legal and practical way. Azerbaijan may take 
Estonian legal framework as a good example and implement it. Secondly, IT improvements also 
were distinctive factor between Azerbaijan and Estonia. Moreover, the principal characteristic of 
Estonian secondary schools is that these schools are initial steps to the higher education. This 
means that secondary schools in Estonia specialize students and prepares them for their future 
career through selective classes. This practice would add advantages to Azerbaijan educational 
system. Finally, practice of Estonian schools with foreign languages is highly effective. This 
causes Estonians to become bilingual citizens. All in all, taking into consideration the fact that, 

---