Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan hosted a group of Armenian secondary school students who have achieved excellent academic results during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. The Prime Minister complimented the schoolchildren for their achievements at Armenian and International Olympiads.

“I am congratulating you for this evening because it is a good opportunity to talk about knowledge and education. I hope you all know that education is a top priority for our government.

Why do we give so much importance to education? Because the Republic of Armenia is a democratic state, a state of free and proud citizens and this is directly related to education. The link is such that the Republic of Armenia is no longer a country where citizens are guided, but where they are supposed to have the lead. And to be a citizen is above all to be able to make decisions and take responsibility for them.

And, in my view, education is the most important element for anyone to guide, manage their own lives, make decisions and take responsibility for them. In fact, there is still a lot of talk about the quality of life in Armenia today. But all of us in this room need to send a very clear message to our young people, first and foremost to our children, telling them that the only and most important guarantee of a good quality of life is education; such education as may guarantee the highest quality of human life.

I understand that many keep saying that they have left school, yet the living standards are not that good today. But I also want to note that education is not a diploma and that education is not only a diploma, but also a process: it should accompany the human being throughout his life - at school, before school, after school, before university and after university - throughout their life, in general. We want education to be a national way of life for the Armenian people.

We want everyone to be guided by the idea that education should be improved day by day. I speak with great confidence in this room, since I can see that your achievements in the field of education testify to the fact that you are guided by that very formula, you are guided by the same motto.

It is very important that this event is being held in here, in such ceremonious conditions. It is above all an appreciation of your success in education, but it is all the more an appreciation to education, in general. It also testifies to the fact that our government considers one of the most important aspects - every child, every young man and every adult citizen of the Republic of Armenia should be enabled to continue their studies, because education should be a chief target as long as a person lives.

Dear 2018-2019 laureates of academic competitions,

I congratulate you all for your achievements, and I hope your success will motivate and inspire you to get better education and knowledge, and more importantly, to make the best possible use of knowledge in your life. I wish you and all of us good luck, because we see the Republic of Armenia as a country of citizens with strong knowledge and a high level of education.

This is how we perceive the Republic of Armenia and prove to you that this perception is not at all imaginary: it is realistic and you are sitting here as free, proud and sensible citizens of the Republic of Armenia.”

Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Araik Haroutiounian handed out medals, certificates and gifts to the students.

At the end of the event, the Prime Minister noted: “Once again, I congratulate you all. I do hope and I am convinced that today’s beautiful and vibrant ceremony will impart you new energy to succeed in the field of education. I wish good and peaceful service to those who will have to serve in the army. Devote yourself to education and science and dedicate your efforts to developing your skills. I wish you all the best.”

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84 graduates were awarded medals of progress in the 2018-2019 Academic Year: 1 from Yerevan, 6 from Tavush Marz, 22 from Syunik Marz, 1 from Ararat Marz, 1 from Armavir Marz, 3 from Gegharkunik Marz, 3 from Lori Marz, 17 from Kotayk Marz, 21 from Shirak Marz, 7 from Aragatsotn Matz and 2 students from Vayots Dzor Marz.

The number of medal-winners was 28 in the 2017-2018 Academic Year. Our students have won 17 medals at international Olympiads, including 4 silver and 13 bronze medals. Nine of the medalists represent Shahinyan Special School of Physics and Mathematics, who won 13 medals (4 students received 2 medals each). 2 students represent the Quantum College, 1 – Kapan Secondary School N2 and 1 - Heratsi High School.

This year’s delegation of young heroes of Kangaroo, Bee and Russian Bear competitions consists of 45 students (48 winners, with three double winners). Three of them are absolute winners of Kangaroo, six of Bee and one of the Russian Bear, and the rest are students from the provinces and Artsakh, as well as students from each of the three competitions in each age group.