Baku: Azerbaijan has announced a significant initiative to finance up to 70% of private preschool education costs, marking a major step in enhancing early childhood education accessibility. The move was highlighted by Vafa Yagublu, Deputy Director of the State Agency for Preschool and General Education, who detailed the country's progress in preschool education over the past decade and the measures implemented to involve children in educational programs from an earlier age.

According to Azeri-Press news agency, efforts to expand preschool education include increasing the network of state institutions, constructing new facilities, and upgrading existing buildings. Since 2016, the government has also introduced preschool preparation groups in schools, with over 86,000 five-year-olds attending these groups in the last academic year. Additionally, more than 24,000 children participated in community-based preschool preparation groups.

A key initiative in this sector is the parent-state-private partnership model, launched two years ago through a grant mechanism. During the 2025-2026 academic year, over 4,000 children are expected to benefit from financial support under this project. The state plans to cover 70% of the service fee charged by private preschool institutions, with a maximum subsidy of 350 manats in Baku and 250 manats in other regions.

This financial support aims to reduce the number of children waiting for state kindergarten placements and expand access to preschool education. It is also expected to stimulate the development of private educational institutions, optimize their potential, and create new employment opportunities.