Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports today to participare in the discussion of performance report 2022 of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

Deputy Prime Ministers Mher Grigoryan and Tigran Khachatryan, Chief of the Prime Minister's Staff Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, Head of the State Supervision Service Romanos Petrosyan, Deputy Minister of Finance Vahan Sirunyan, officilas from the Prime Minister's Office, the leadership of the Ministry of Education, other officials officials participated in the consultation.

The Minister of Education and Deputy Ministers reported on sectoral reforms, priority programs and completed works.

It was noted that the testing process of the new standard has started in 60 preschool institutions of Yerevan and regions. For the first time, professional development programs have been implemented, it is planned to introduce an additional payment mechanism. In some of the regions, the process of universal inclusion has started, within the framework of which funding for children with special educational needs has been ongoing since September, 2022 and will continue. In the field of general education, the new standard is also in the testing phase, starting from September, 2023 it will be introduced in all Armenian schools on a phased basis, the full introduction is planned to be completed by 2026. Currently, textbooks are being developed and printed. The program of teaching the languages spoken in the region has been launched and is already being implemented in 25 schools. Interrelated mechanisms of teacher's professional development and remuneration have been introduced, the new order of financing schools has been approved, the administrative, economic and educational processes have been separated, and a draft decision of the Government will be presented in the near future. The e-learning program is being implemented in 9 regions of Armenia, the number of beneficiary students is 6500, the process of issuing graduation certificates has been digitized. In the field of primary and secondary professional education, a number of models of public-private cooperation have been tested, one of the manifestations of which is the establishment of Patrick Devedjian Regional College in Tavush Province.

The progress of the state program "300 schools and 500 kindergartens" was reported. It was noted that the works of mapping and designing of educational complexes in the regions have been completed, inter-departmental discussions on further steps are underway.

In the field of higher education, educational programs have been reviewed, 21 Sectoral Qualifications Framework have been approved, and a new formula for funding universities with the introduction of a performance component is being developed. Work on increasing the efficiency of education organization and management, digitization measures has been done, and new infrastructures were created. Discussions on the establishment of an academic city continue.

It was reported about educational and cultural cooperation with the Diaspora, international partnership, youth programs. It was noted that within the framework of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, the legal framework has been expanded, exchange programs of foreign and Armenian students are successfully implemented under interstate agreements. In 2022, memorandums were signed on the creation of 2 more centers of Armenian studies. Within the framework of the state policy in the field of youth, the legislative field is being improved, works on the creation of 2 youth centers in Tavush and Syunik Provinces are underway. "Starmus VI" festival took place in 2022.

Research, restoration and improvement of the area of historical and cultural monuments, including fortresses of Lori and Tavush, Dashtadem and Amberd f, have been carried out. The legislative package regulating the field of monuments was submitted to the National Assembly. Work is underway to modernize the management system of museums, the technical task of the unified electronic ticketing system is being developed. Within the framework of international cultural cooperation, Armenia has participated in exhibitions and festivals, 17 educational and cultural projects are being implemented within the framework of artistic education, reforms of the management system have been initiated, etc.

In the field of sports, 5 amateur tournaments "Cup of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia" were held with about 5300 participants. Armenian athletes representing national teams won 307 medals in international competitions and championships, assistance was provided to sports federations. One-time state support for athletes and coaches with great sports achievements has been doubled. In 2022, the European Men's Boxing Championship and the World Youth, Junior and Cadets Sambo Championship were held in Armenia, a number of championships are also planned in 2023. The Prime Minister was reported on the construction of new sports complexes and the renovation of existing sports facilities.

After the presentation of the report, an exchange of ideas took place. Details were presented to the Prime Minister regarding the road map of the "300 schools and 500 kindergartens" state program. The Head of the Government noted that the program is a strategic priority and instructed to keep the process in the center of attention by carrying out regular monitoring of the construction process and quality standards.

Nikol Pashinyan referred to the importance of introducing new standards of education, including the certification component, textbook printing and distribution policy, and noted that along with the printed version, it is also necessary to work towards the development of electronic educational platforms. The Prime Minister highlighted the cultural and artistic education programs, including the state program of free visits to the museum, concert hall, and theater once a year for schoolchildren, and instructed to focus on their proper implementation, where necessary, to revise and improve them.

Noting the importance of primary and secondary vocational education reform, the Head of the Government instructed to discuss the possibilities of implementing new programs with public-private cooperation and present proposals. Referring to the scholarship policy implemented in the field of general and higher education, the Prime Minister instructed to develop and present proposals to improve them for the benefit of high-achieving schoolchildren and students.