New Teacher Compensation System: The End of the Private Tutoring Era?

Azerbaijan is actively discussing the issue of changing the teacher payment system: instead of accounting for lessons conducted, it is proposed to switch to salary calculation based on actual hours worked.

As reported by Oxu.Az, this proposal was voiced by Deputy Minister of Science and Education Idris Isaev during the discussion of amendments to the law "On General Education" at the latest session of Milli Majlis.

The Deputy Minister noted that after the completion of the teacher certification process, alternative mechanisms for increasing teachers' salaries will be considered.

Participants in the discussion were primarily interested in innovations in the payment system and possible changes in teachers' work schedules.

In response to Oxu.Az's inquiry, the press service of the Ministry of Science and Education reported that the new teacher payment system is currently under discussion.

"Specific proposals will be presented after the full completion of the first stage of teacher certification," the department noted.

It should be remembered that teacher certification is conducted every five years. The first stage of the current certification cycle will be completed in 2026.

Education expert Elchin Efendi, in conversation with Oxu.Az, expressed the opinion that transitioning to salary calculation based on working hours could significantly reduce the scale of private tutoring.

"Currently, the weekly workload of teachers in our country varies from 18 to 36 hours, with many having 18-24 hours. Overall, the teaching workload across the country is 20-24 hours per week, while the official working time is 35-40 hours. If now the salary is calculated mainly by the number of teaching hours, according to the new proposal, it will be calculated based on actual time worked.

In my opinion, the adoption of this proposal will yield positive results. First, teachers' salaries will increase somewhat. Second, the amount of paperwork for teachers will decrease compared to previous periods. Third, it will partially solve the problem of private tutoring. According to the new proposal, teachers will be required to remain in the educational institution until the end of the workday. Under the traditional scheme, as soon as classes ended, teachers would leave school and begin tutoring activities at home or in rented spaces," Efendi noted.

The expert also emphasized that in most countries worldwide, teacher compensation is calculated based on working hours.

"Countries such as the USA, Finland, Japan, and others can be cited as examples. For instance, in Finland, the official working time is 32-36 hours per week, and in the USA - 40-45 hours.

This approach allows teachers to devote time to personal development, planning for the next day, etc., after classes end. The only negative aspect could be maintaining the paperwork volume requirement in parallel with adopting the new decision. All other aspects of this initiative can be characterized as a positive solution," he emphasized.