Republican Party of Armenia

 Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, a consultation was held, entitled “Outcome and prospects of educational programs implemented in Ministry of Defense units and for needy families.”

Deputy Minister of Defense David Tonoyan presented the results of military training and education needs assessment survey and the results of the pilot program. The Deputy Minister said that as conducted in two units, the pilot program is estimated to be effective.

Courses for servicemen had been organized with the help of lecturers from the State Pedagogical University. The program covered 122 demobilized soldiers, 52 of which have been admitted to different universities, 5 – to vocational institutions and 8 to different colleges.

”The need in programs like this is obvious. If the program continues, it may cover military units not only from Armenia, but also from Artsakh,” Mr. Tonoyan noted.

Given the overwhelming interest in short-term vocational training, as well as the fact that secondary education, including vocational and vocational education is to be compulsory in the Republic of Armenia short-term courses are welcome for the demobilized.

It was noted that it will contribute to the armed forces of skilled professionals on contract basis with the military and provides free access to vocational education and training for young people from all layers of society.

The meeting then referred to the educational program for needy family children aged 16-18. The pilot phase of the program was conducted in Lori marz and Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan. The program involved 3664 children aged 16-18 coming from the families registered in the vulnerability assessment system, of which 339 are from Shengavit. It was noted that some of them used to study at a university or vocational institution. 483 children had expressed desire to have private teachers, of which 288 have already been admitted to universities, with 286 admitted to specialized schools.

62 children from Shengavit and 140 from Lori marz were said getting private lessons.

Summarizing the meeting, Prime Minister instructed the relevant authorities to carry out a detailed analysis in order to learn the reasons behind children’s refusal to get education under the program.

“We have to continue and expand these programs. There is great demand in it in the Armed Forces and we should implement it in all the units. It is necessary to seriously focus on the vulnerable. Integrated Social Service employees must disclose the problems of poor families in order to propose solutions. The program must involve lecturers not only from the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan, but also from other universities, as it has a social dimension,” Tigran Sargsyan said.

The Prime Minister instructed to continue computerization work in all the military units of the Republic of Armenia.

A number of recommendations and suggestions were made during the meeting.