Republican Party of Armenia

 During the meeting with journalists the head of the Department of General Education of the Municipality of Yerevan Gayane Soghomonyan presented the current programs accomplished by the Municipality and spoke about the preparations for the new academic year.
The head of the Department said that after finishing the program of providing schools and kindergartens with heating the program of their repairing is going on. On the instruction of the Mayor of Yerevan in 2013 an unprecedented program of property repairing was fulfilled in municipality subordinated pre-schooling establishments. It was noted that by the offer of Mayor Taron Margaryan additional acceptance of children will be permitted in Yerevan municipality subordinated kindergartens since September 1. As a result, according to preliminary estimated, another 1300 children will be enrolled at kindergartens.
Referring to school programs it was mentioned that in 2012-2013 school year a number of already traditional sport and cultural events, as well as actions aimed at stimulation of the Armenian literature and reading were held. Gayane Soghomonyan said that the pupils spending their holidays in the capital also had the opportunity to participate in the events organized within "Yerevan summer" project. Within the frames of cooperation expansion between Yerevan and Bucharest, by the initiative of Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan 46 pupils of different schools of the capital were hosted in Bucharest for the first time, where the national culture and traditions were presented. During this academic year the activities aimed at transparency of school management will become more active.
The head of the Department of General Education also said that with the aim of making innovations in schools they are being completed with new computers and interactive whiteboards which promote more simplified studying of subjects.
It was also noted that free textbooks and work-books, teachers’ manuals and necessary equipment are being distributed by Chess Academy. Second chess labs will be opened in the schools where the number of pupils has increased.
Referring to the preparations for the new school year, the head of the Department of General Education said that distribution of school books is going on. She also stressed that the books for the 1-4 forms of elementary school are distributed free of charge. By the instruction of the mayor the information on the prices for the text books for 5-9 forms is to be stuck at the school libraries in visible for everybody places. Final check-outs are being carried out with the aim of providing uninterrupted water and energy supply in schools. First-aid posts have been provided with all necessary medicines and materials.
"One of the most important issues for us is elimination of possible cases of money collection in schools. Any book selling included textbooks, work-books and other school materials in schools is prohibited by the Mayor of Yerevan. The Department of General education will be consistent and in case of any violation the persons in charge will be disciplined", said Gayane Soghomonyan.
Referring to the problems raised by parents through the hot lines G. Soghomonyan stressed the effectiveness of hot lines from the point of view of problems' revelation and presented as an example the strict reprimand made to the directors of two schools and the dismissal of the acting director of one of kindergartens.
The head of the Department also noted that every pupils in each school and kindergarten is at everyday focus of attention of the Mayor of Yerevan.