State schools must operate by common rules: where is the limit of individual approach?
A state school is not only a place where knowledge is imparted, but also an important public institution where the future citizen is formed. The rules applied here must be based not on the wishes of individuals but on legislation, state education policy and the common interests of society.
Yulduz Salimov3 min read
Updated: October 12, 2026 2:33 pm
A state school is not only a place where knowledge is imparted, but also an important public institution where the future citizen is formed. The rules applied here must be based not on the wishes of individuals but on legislation, state education policy and the common interests of society.
The application of unified rules in schools serves, first of all, to protect discipline, equality and common standards in the educational environment. If everyone were able to change general requirements according to their own wishes, this could lead to differences in the application of rules at school and to difficulties in governance.
Azerbaijan's education legislation also establishes the importance of state standards and unified principles in the organisation of general education. In the Law "On General Education", among the goals of education, a special place is occupied by the upbringing of a citizen who understands responsibility towards the state and society, respects national and universal values, and thinks independently.
From this point of view, the rules established in state schools should be assessed not simply as administrative requirements, but as a mechanism ensuring the functioning of the general education system.
Common rules and individual choice
During discussions in society about school rules, freedom of individual choice, the position of parents and children's rights are also in the spotlight. The main principle in relation to these issues is to maintain balance.
An individual approach is an important element of the educational process. Students' different needs, health conditions, psychological characteristics and social circumstances must be taken into account. However, an individual approach must not be equated with the complete modification of common rules according to personal wishes.
In other words, where exceptions exist, they must rely not on personal considerations but on legal grounds, necessity and established procedures. Such an approach creates the possibility both for the consistent application of rules and for the protection of children's rights.
What principles should a state school be based on?
Along with the existence of unified rules in a state educational institution, it is also important that those rules are fair and clear. Requirements must be understandable to all participants, there must be no discrimination in their application, and emerging questions must be resolved within the legal framework.
A school must be not only an environment that demands discipline, but also one that teaches children responsibility, mutual respect and observance of public rules. To achieve this goal, cooperation between school management, teachers and parents is of great importance.
One of the main goals of the state's education policy is to ensure equal access to quality education, to preserve national and moral values, and to educate a personality that meets the demands of modern society. These goals require the correct harmonisation of unified standards with individual needs.
The issue must be discussed on the level of principle, not confrontation
Instead of turning discussions about school rules into a confrontation between different groups of society, it is more appropriate to conduct them within the framework of legislation, state responsibility and the interests of children.
