Clothing Regulations in State Schools in Azerbaijan (2026)

Clothing Regulations in State Schools in Türkiye, a process initiated by amendments to the Law on General Education in 2026 and continued by decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the attire of students and teachers in state general education institutions, along with developments during this process. The Cabinet of Ministers’ Decision No. 309 dated 21 September 2026 prohibits students from using clothing elements that disrupt the uniformity of the designated school attire and are inconsistent with the principle of secularism in general education.^【1】 Although the decision does not explicitly mention the headscarf (hijab), the regulation also encompasses a ban on the headscarf.^【2】 On 6 October 2026, clothing requirements for educators working in state general education institutions were also approved.^【3】 During implementation, reports emerged that some schools refused entry to students and teachers wearing headscarves; the regulations sparked protests, class boycotts, and arrests. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan announced on 12 October 2026 that 37 individuals had been arrested due to incidents related to the enforcement of uniform school dress codes.^【4】

In Azerbaijan, the uniform school dress code in state general education institutions was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers’ 17 March 2022 decision and implemented gradually. School internal regulations also required all students to attend classes in uniform attire. This decision was formalized in the document titled “Descriptions of Uniform Attire for Students of State General Education Institutions”, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 96.^【5】

Before and after the 2022 decision, numerous parents in Azerbaijan complained that their children were denied entry to school due to wearing headscarves.^【6】 In April 2026, a public complaint stated that a parent had been denied admission of her daughter to class because of her headscarf. At the time, existing school dress rules did not specifically mention headscarves.^【7】

Approximately 96 percent of Azerbaijan’s population identifies as Muslim. The country’s constitution defines Azerbaijan as a secular state and guarantees freedom of religion.^【8】 According to the constitution, the state guarantees free and compulsory general secondary education. There is no specific constitutional provision granting individuals the right to wear headscarves in schools. Article 48 of the constitution guarantees freedom of conscience.^【9】

The National Assembly of Azerbaijan decided to amend the Law on General Education based on Article 94, Part I, Clause 1 of the Constitution. Law No. 434-VIIQD was signed by President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on 7 July 2026.^【10】

The law introduced the following amendments to the Law on General Education:^【11】

• Article 3.1.2-1 was added: “Nationalism and secularism – establishment and development of a secular general education system based on the protection of national and universal values and the achievement of their dialectical unity.”
• The phrase “and clothing requirements for educators” was added after the word “descriptions” in Article 4.0.25.
• The following sentence was added to Article 12.13: “Clothing requirements for educators in state general education institutions shall be determined by the relevant executive body.”
• Article 12.13-1 was added: “Students and educators in state general education institutions must comply with clothing requirements.”
• Article 24.2.2-1 was added: “Ensure that children (or persons under guardianship or custody) comply with school clothing requirements.”

Through these amendments, the principle of “nationalism and secularism” was incorporated into the Law on General Education, and the obligation for students and teachers to comply with clothing requirements was codified.^【12】

In connection with the entry into force of Law No. 434-VIIQD, President Ilham Aliyev signed Presidential Decree No. 729 dated 22 July 2026, based on Articles 109, Clauses 19 and 32 of the Constitution, to ensure its implementation. The decree established the following:^{【13】 【14】}

• The powers of the relevant executive body specified in the second sentence of Article 12.13 of the Law on General Education shall be exercised by the President of Azerbaijan.
• The term “body (institution)” in the same sentence refers to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
• The Cabinet of Ministers shall approve clothing requirements for educators in state general education institutions within two months and inform the President. Additionally, taking into account the provisions of the law, the Cabinet of Ministers shall take necessary measures to improve Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 96 dated 17 March 2022 and report to the President on this matter.
• The Cabinet of Ministers shall resolve other issues arising from Law No. 434-VIIQD.
• Clauses 2.1 and 2.2 of Presidential Decree No. 711 dated 27 May 2019 regarding the implementation of the Law on General Education were amended.

Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 551s dated 30 July 2026 to ensure implementation of Presidential Decree No. 729.^【15】 The order assigned the following responsibilities:^【16】

- The Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministry of Finance and other relevant state institutions shall submit proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers within five months to align the Cabinet’s normative legal acts with the law and the presidential decree.

- The Ministry of Science and Education shall submit proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers within one month regarding clothing requirements for educators in state general education institutions and improvements to Decision No. 96.

- Central executive bodies shall take necessary measures for implementation of the law and decree no later than four months; they shall submit information to the Ministry of Justice regarding their normative legal acts or confirmation that no proposals exist.

- The Ministry of Justice shall ensure alignment of central executive bodies’ normative legal acts with the law and decree and report to the Cabinet of Ministers within six months.

The decree entered into force on the day it was signed.^【17】

Minister of Science and Education Emin Emrullayev announced on 14 September 2026 at a press conference regarding the new academic year that changes had been made to clothing requirements for teachers and that the new rules would soon be shared with the public. Emrullayev clarified that the regulation did not mean introducing a standard uniform for teachers but rather established requirements regarding their appearance.^【18】

The Cabinet of Ministers adopted Decision No. 309 dated 21 September 2026 based on the eighth paragraph of Article 119 of the Constitution and to implement Clause 2.1.2 of Presidential Decree No. 729. Signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov, the decision amended the document “Descriptions of Uniform Attire for Students of State General Education Institutions,” approved by Decision No. 96, as follows:^【19】

• Clause 1.4-1 was added: “Students shall not be permitted to use clothing elements that disrupt the uniformity of the designated attire and are inconsistent with the principle of secularism in general education.”
• Clause 1.4-2 was added: “During events organized in connection with the history, culture, and national-spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, national attire or elements of national attire may be worn upon decision of the school’s Pedagogical Council.”
• Clause 1.8 was amended to add: “Parents or other legal representatives shall ensure that their children (or persons under their guardianship or custody) comply with clothing requirements.”
• Clause 1.10 was added: “Issues regarding student compliance with the requirements of this document shall be resolved by the school’s Pedagogical Council.”
• Clause 3.2 was amended to add: “This decision shall be published on the school’s official website or notice board within five working days from the date of adoption.”
• In Appendix 1, “Examples of Student Uniform Attire,” the phrase “three-button short-sleeved shirt and trousers” was removed from the description of summer and winter attire for male students.

The content of the decision was made public on 21 September 2026.^【20】 It was stated that the regulation aims to establish a uniform dress code reflecting the principle of secularism in the country.^【21】

The term “hijab” is not mentioned in the decision. Additionally, which clothing elements are deemed inconsistent with the principle of secularism is not explicitly specified. Because the religious headscarf is not defined as part of the school uniform, the regulation has been interpreted as a headscarf ban.^【22】

On 6 October 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers approved clothing requirements for educators in state general education institutions to implement the Presidential Decree concerning amendments to the Law on General Education. The regulation aims to develop a professional dress culture and adopt a common approach to attire.^【23】

The requirements outlined in the document are as follows:^【24】

• Teachers’ attire must not restrict movement or distract students and should help students develop appropriate attitudes toward clothing, style, and context-appropriate dress choices.
• Educators’ clothing and attire elements must be consistent with the principle of secularism in general education; they must be clean, neat, simple, professional, and appropriate to the season.
• Clothing and attire elements inconsistent with the nature of pedagogical activities or students’ age characteristics are prohibited. Clothing styles outside the specified requirements are also included in this scope.
• Educators must comply with these requirements while performing duties at school and during official and ceremonial events representing the school.
• During events related to the history, culture, and national-spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people, national attire or elements of national attire may be worn upon decision of the Pedagogical Council.

It was emphasized that the regulation is not a uniform mandate but a dress code. Authorities stated that the goal is to promote a “professional attire culture” in state schools and establish a common standard for teachers’ appearance. School administrations are held responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements.^【25】

There is no publicly available statistical data on the number of female teachers wearing headscarves in state schools in Azerbaijan. Current regulations do not explicitly address headscarves for teachers. The Ministry of Education has not issued any public statement regarding whether headscarved teachers’ attire complies with the newly approved requirements.^【26】

Following Decision No. 309, numerous reports emerged in Azerbaijan that headscarved students were being barred from attending classes.^【27】 Some schools began preventing headscarved students and teachers from attending classes.^【28】 Videos shared on social media showed headscarved students being turned away at school gates.^【29】 Videos circulated of students being sent home from school, clinging to their teachers and crying.^【30】Celilabad district’s School No. 9 also featured in a video showing girls being denied entry to the school building due to their headscarves.^【31】

Teacher Zehra Hasanova stated she was informed she could no longer wear a headscarf at school and said: “To be honest, I am somewhat emotional. I was very upset. [The headscarf] is a personal choice, and if one day I choose to remove it, that should be my own decision.”^【32】

After the approval of teacher clothing requirements on 6 October, reports emerged of pressure on headscarved teachers. Teachers in some schools in Sumqayit reported being asked to remove their headscarves or submit resignation letters.^【33】 A headscarved teacher at School No. 90 Richard Sorge Middle School in Baku was reportedly dismissed; videos shared showed crying students embracing the teacher.^【34】 Journalist Arzu Abdulla shared similar information regarding School No. 90 in the town of Ramana.^【35】

Baku City Education Administration announced on 9 October 2026 that it would begin monitoring compliance with clothing requirements for both students and teachers.^【36】 The administration stated it would monitor how the new requirements are implemented in state schools.^【37】

On 12 October 2026, it was announced that monitoring activities had begun to assess compliance with clothing requirements for students and teachers as established by Cabinet of Ministers decisions. The monitoring examined whether students complied with designated school attire requirements and whether teachers adhered to dress codes appropriate to their professional activities and school environment. It also assessed how schools organized compliance inspections and conducted awareness campaigns. Where non-compliance was identified, school administrations held preventive and informative discussions with students and teachers, and in necessary cases, invited parents to the school.^【38】

The administration’s statement included the following: “There have been cases where students and teachers whose attire did not meet the specified requirements were denied entry to classes. We also regretfully note that in some general education institutions, inappropriate behaviors inconsistent with the school and learning environment have been recorded. These incidents not only disrupted the educational process but also resulted in damage to school property. There have also been cases of pressure and threats directed at teachers and school administrators due to the enforcement of dress codes. We emphasize that monitoring activities will continue to evaluate compliance with dress codes and strengthen enforcement of the established requirements.”^【39】

The decision triggered protests and a social media campaign in Azerbaijan. ^【40】 At least two schools in Azerbaijan saw students boycott classes to protest the restrictions.^【41】

On 9 October 2026, a video from School No. 69 in the Balakhani district of Baku showed students refusing to attend class in solidarity with their headscarved classmates. The protest sign outside the school read: “The headscarf is not an obstacle to education.” Students from School No. 69 in Baku and Mollaoba Middle School in the Masally district refused to attend classes and demanded that their headscarved classmates be allowed to return to school.^{【42】 【43】}

On 12 October 2026, videos from various districts of Baku showed students, including headscarved girls, gathering at school entrances. Students from School No. 322 protested the headscarf ban and demanded that girls be admitted to school. A video from a school in Baku’s Hökmeli district showed parents warning they would not send their sons to school either.^【44】

Protest methods included gathering at school gates, refusing to attend classes, and parental calls for boycotts. The protesters’ common demand was not to deprive headscarved girls of their right to education.^【45】

Detained journalist and administrator of the Xeberman news website Polad Aslanov announced he had begun a hunger strike to protest the restrictions. Aslanov’s wife, Gülmira Aslanova, announced the decision via a social media post and stated that Aslanov was detained in Prison No. 15.^【46】

Aslanov stated that his hunger strike aims to draw attention to headscarved students denied entry to schools and restrictions on teachers’ clothing; he also stated that his own child’s right to education has been restricted. Aslanov said: “I declare that I have begun this hunger strike to defend the rights of my own child, all headscarved students denied education, and all headscarved female teachers forced to choose between education and wearing a headscarf.”^【47】

Aslanov stated that he had recently appealed to Allahshukur Pashazade, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, but received no response, and argued that the clothing restrictions violate Article 48 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience.^【48】

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, in its statement on 12 October 2026, directly linked the arrest of 37 individuals to incidents surrounding the enforcement of uniform dress codes in schools. Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 233 for organizing or actively participating in actions that disrupt public order.^【49】

The ministry accused these individuals of clashing with education staff, damaging educational institutions, and attempting to obstruct transportation and school operations. The statement did not specify which schools suffered damage or who committed which acts. The names and ages of those arrested were not disclosed. The ministry justified its measures as necessary to ensure the safety of students and teachers.^【50】