Last Bell...
June 13, 2026
From the moment I headed towards the school, the importance and essence of the day could be felt from the city's atmosphere even in the early hours. First-graders and eleventh-graders in school uniforms added a completely different colorfulness and vibrancy to the city. I am sure that this day, this date, has a special place in everyone's life, regardless of age. Every year on this date, either a relative, acquaintance, or friend of ours graduates. For a moment, we all return to that day with our loved ones, remembering our school years, our sweet, farewell-filled last steps.
Participating in the “Last Bell” event again after five years took me back to my own school years. This time, I was not as a student, but at Baku city School-Lyceum No. 6 named after Tofig Ismayilov, where our head of state, President Ilham Aliyev, studied, to listen to the feelings and impressions of parents, first-graders who were introduced to school life for the first time, and graduates bidding farewell to school.
...smiles, joy, and pride were felt on the faces of the parents. The same could not be fully said about the eleventh-graders. They looked a little fragile because they were separating from their classmates and teachers. But the graduates, at the same time, did not hide their joy. After all, they are stepping into a new life, one of the most important stages of their lives. Ahead of them are their student years, one of the most beautiful periods of their lives...
The words, feelings, and emotions were very different, full of longing. One really wants to go back to those days, to be a student, a graduate again...
The first-graders, however, were a completely different world. There were those who cried, those who laughed, those who sulked, and those who were shy... On one hand, they were eager to graduate, and on the other hand, they were experiencing the joy of the most beautiful period of their childhood. The first-graders had big dreams: to become doctors and heal people, to become teachers and impart knowledge...
They are a value. They are the first-graders, the future of this nation.
During communication with parents, it was clearly felt that their joy knew no bounds. They all had one wish: for their children to grow up healthy, happy, educated, and to become useful citizens for the people and the nation.
Firudin Gurbanov, Deputy Minister of Science and Education, who spoke at the event, stated that the “Last Bell” symbolizes the end of school life and the beginning of a new stage in the lives of young people.
The Deputy Minister congratulated the graduates, teachers, and parents, emphasizing that a new and responsible stage of their lives awaits the young people bidding farewell to school.
“School-Lyceum No. 6 is one of the country's renowned educational institutions. Being a graduate of this school is a great honor, as well as a serious responsibility. The fact that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also studied at this school is an indicator of the rich traditions of the educational institution,” he noted.
In his speech, F. Gurbanov also touched upon the National Salvation Day, which will be celebrated in the coming days, and spoke about the role of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev in strengthening Azerbaijan's independence and developing statehood.
The Deputy Minister stated that this year 144 graduates are completing the school-lyceum and believes that they will make significant contributions to the country's development in the future. He also spoke about the new technological challenges facing young people in the modern era.
Addressing young people who will study abroad, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of never losing their ties with Azerbaijan. He advised young people to be responsible, proactive, and active, calling on them to actively participate in the country's public life and to serve the Motherland in their future activities.
The school director, Gulshan Orujova, stated that 70 percent of the graduates have already been admitted to various foreign universities.
“Already 70 percent of our graduates have been admitted to various foreign universities. By showing high results in the graduation exams, they have made both their teachers, parents, and us happy. As the school principal, I have always been proud of our graduates. Because I believe that regardless of where they study, we are raising citizens who can contribute to Azerbaijan.”
G. Orujova emphasized that she believes this year's graduates will also contribute to the country's future development as patriotic young people.
Touching upon the results of the graduation exams, the director noted that one graduate of the school scored 297 points. According to her, a total of 52 graduates showed results above 250 in the graduation exams. The director concluded by wishing all graduates success in their future educational and professional activities.
When I spoke with the parents, I felt more closely how special this day was not only for the first-graders and graduates but also for their families.
Vusala Bakirova, the parent of one of the graduates, Mirzazade Zahra Ilgar gizi, says she is experiencing these emotions for the second time. According to her, her other child is also a graduate of this school and is currently studying computer science in the USA within the framework of the State Program.
“We have known this school for 15 years. We have become like a family. We are very satisfied with the school's teaching staff and management. My son is also a graduate of this school. He is currently studying computer science at one of the world's prestigious universities in the USA. Today, my daughter is also graduating. We expect the same success from her.
Parents also actually graduate today. Because for 15 years, we have walked this path together with our children. The relationships we gained in this school have now turned into friendships, and in some cases, even family friendships. It's good that my children studied at this school. I always mention the warm and sincere attitude the school showed us everywhere. The school director, Gulshan muallima, plays a special role in forming this environment. She acts as a parent not only to the students but also to the parents. Our feelings are truly magnificent.”
Among the parents, there were also those who experienced this day as both a teacher and a father
Elmin Imanov, father of Fuad Imanli, a graduate of School-Lyceum No. 6, says that his son's graduation makes him experience several different feelings at once:
“Today, as both a teacher and a parent, I am experiencing very different feelings. I sincerely congratulate all graduates and thank the teachers who contributed to them reaching this stage. I congratulate the parents.
Today we have an independent and powerful Azerbaijan. It is a great happiness that our graduates are graduates of a free and sovereign Motherland. Now a new, independent period begins in their lives. I wish them to grow up as patriotic people devoted to the Motherland, the people, and the state, and to represent our country worthily in accordance with the demands of the modern world.
My son Fuad Imanli is preparing for the II specialty group. We are eagerly awaiting the results. For now, we are considering the economics direction. I hope our dreams come true.”
During communication with the graduates, the feeling of separation hidden within their joy was more clearly visible...
Nihat Pashayev, a graduate of the 11A class of the school, plans to build his future abroad.
“Today, my childhood friends and I are finishing school. We have grown up together for many years. Now we are separating. Of course, we are all emotional and will miss each other. But I think great successes await each of us.
I want to study computer science. I have received admission from Constructor University in Germany. I am currently waiting for the visa process. I will go to Germany towards the end of summer.”
Graduate Nuray Bagirli said it was difficult to express her feelings in words:
“Today is a very exciting and emotional day. When you realize that we will never return to this school as students again, that we will not experience these feelings again, one becomes emotional.
Our parents and teachers are standing here. Everyone is emotional. I am preparing for the III specialty group. I scored 216 points in the graduation exam. I think I also did well in the block exam. We are eagerly awaiting the results. In the future, I want to study foreign languages and translation, and be admitted to Azerbaijan University of Languages.”
Solmaz Agazade, a graduate of the 11-B class, says that this day will be remembered for her with both joy and tender emotions.
“I am very happy to have graduated from this school. I wish everyone success. May our future life be even better than today's.
Actually, we are very happy, but at the same time, we know that we will miss these days. They always said that when you grow up, you will understand the value of school years. We feel it even now.
I am preparing for the III specialty group. I want to study state and public relations at Baku State University. I believe that I will achieve the goals I have set for myself.”
Graduate Elmir Ali also says that his future plans are built on education.
“I congratulate all graduates and wish everyone success. I am preparing for the I specialty group. I want to study chemical engineering. I am considering choosing Baku Higher Oil School.
Of course, we will miss school. But we will still meet with our friends and classmates. My main goal and objective is to study, develop myself, and gain better opportunities for the future.”
At the end of the event, one of the most touching moments that caught my attention was the ringing of the “Last Bell” by the child of a martyr. The ringing of the last bell by the legacy of our hero who sacrificed his life for the Motherland remained in my memory as one of the moments that created pride and tenderness. As they say, both the joy of today and the hopes of tomorrow rise on the values bequeathed to us by our martyrs.
After the last bell rang, the students hugged each other, took pictures, and said goodbye to their teachers. In those moments where joy and sadness mingled, although everyone tried to hide their feelings, the deep meaning and tenderness in their eyes encompassed everything.
I must also mention my colleague Esmira, with whom we worked shoulder to shoulder today. We communicated with her as children with children, and as students with students. It was as if we, too, had returned to those feelings we experienced years ago, thanks to this pleasant and interesting day. Without distinguishing between students, graduates, eleventh-graders, or first-graders, we approached them and shared their joy, excitement, pride, and tenderness as if they were our own. Perhaps this is the most beautiful aspect of the “Last Bell” - everyone finds a piece of their own life in that day, in a moment full of memories.
