The Learning Hubs: Improved Skills for Stronger Societies was a three-year programme that was aimed at developing young people’s skills so that they can build confidence and have better access to educational and career pathways in the future. The programme will build upon the success of the British Council’s English Clubs initiative that took place between 2016 and 2019.
The three-year project will be finalised in March 2022 and has supported the development of cohesive, stable and prosperous communities in Azerbaijan. There are 18 Learning Hubs in Baku and six other regions of Azerbaijan (Absheron, Lankaran, Ganja, Zaqatala, Tartar, Barda). In total, we have worked with over 8,000 school students, 2,000 school teachers, and 400 community members, with most being from the conflict-affected, IDP (internally displaced persons) communities.
Learning Hubs were particularly effective in vulnerable communities, creating a platform for the school teachers’ professional development, teaching methodology, as well as methods of language development and core skills for students.
The British Council has designed and developed the programme, with funding from the UK Government. We worked in close partnership together with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the local leaders, communities, and school principals.
To learn more about our Learning Hubs: Improved Skills for Stronger Societies programme in Azerbaijan, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.az/en/english/project/learning-hubs
We will be hosting a closing ceremony for the Learning Hubs project on 5 March 2022, 10.00 am, at Hilton Baku, Sevda Ballroom. The event will bring together all the project partners, communities and beneficiaries to share the achievements and lessons learned from our three-year initiative. We will also present a special film focused on the project beneficiaries.
Media representatives are kindly invited to participate at this event at 09.30 am 5 March 2022.
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mr. James Sharp:
“I’ve had the honour to visit Learning Hubs across Azerbaijan – from Zagatala to Lankaran, from Barda to Masazir and I’ve always been impressed by the excellent standard of teaching and the children’s enthusiasm and excitement at learning new skills. I’m also grateful to the Ministry of Education and local communities for supporting this initiative throughout and look forward to them now building on the solid foundations these hubs have created. I’m pleased that the hubs have also been at the forefront of introducing new and important subjects to Azerbaijani pupils, such as climate change and girls’ and women’s rights.
I want to pay special tribute to the hub’s fantastic teachers. This project was implemented during really difficult times for both children and teachers, first with the COVID-19 pandemic and then the conflict in 2020, which directly affected many of our hubs. Despite these huge challenges the resilience and dedication of our hub teachers remained strong and undeterred. They are a credit to their profession.”
British Council Director in Azerbaijan, Mr. Francis Gardener-Trejo:
“The achievements of the Learning Hubs programme are owed to the collaboration of many dedicated partners and education practitioners over the past three years. In total, we have worked with over 8,000 school students to provide them with skills development in the English language, debating and critical thinking. The programme has been underscored by principles of inclusivity and has led to the establishment of Hubs across Azerbaijan, among IDP communities, and with a focus on themes such as gender, equality and openness.”
“The past few years have demanded flexibility and we are proud that the programme has risen to this challenge, with online learning and innovative digital resources playing a crucial role. We are confident that such experience will contribute to future innovation in the education sector, and look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Ministry of Education to realise these benefits going forward.”