Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia Zhanna Andreasyan received today the head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos.

ESCS Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, the cooperation programs implemented as part of ongoing educational reforms in Armenia were discussed. In particular, a reference was made to the launch of the platform named “Political Dialogue on Educational Reforms in Armenia”, focused on the educational reform process in Armenia, and the introduction of the new state standard for general education.

Welcoming the Head of the EU delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, ESCS Minister Zhanna Andreasyan stressed the significance of productive collaboration with the European Union in various directions.

According to the Minister, the EU's ongoing support for education reforms in Armenia is a top priority for the RA Government and holds significant importance in bilateral relations.

Ambassador Vassilis Maragos also stressed the significance of high-level cooperation and dialogue between Armenia and the European Union and also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to contribute to the efficient operation of the Armenian education system.

During the meeting, the ESCS Minister presented the legislative reforms implemented in this field. Zhanna Andreasyan informed that the draft law “On Vocational Education and Training” is currently under discussion in the National Assembly which will introduce new regulations regarding collaboration with the private sector and the implementation of dual education mechanisms. She noted that in the near future a draft law “On Higher Education and Science” will also be submitted for public discussion, the adoption of which is important for the advancement and reforms of the sector.

Ambassador Vassilis Maragos also inquired about the RA Government's progress on the construction and renovation of schools and the establishment of natural science laboratories in schools with the support of the EU. Minister Zhanna Andreasyan stated that the establishment of new laboratories in schools is progressing as originally scheduled.

At the meeting with the head of the EU delegation to Armenia, issues related to assistance programs for students and teachers forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh were also discussed. The ESCS Minister reported that nearly all school-age children who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh - around 17 thousand students - have been enrolled in general education institutions in Yerevan and across the regions of Armenia. Zhanna Andreasyan also mentioned the implementation of a program aimed at reimbursing fees to students who were forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

Regarding the support program for forcibly displaced teachers from Nagorno Karabakh, Zhanna Andreasyan mentioned that the Government has extended the program's functioning until December 31, 2024. According to the ESCS Minister, there is significant interest, and teachers forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh are now actively applying to the program following the final confirmation of their place of residence.

According to Zhanna Andreasyan, currently over 500 teachers who were displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh are working in schools in Armenia, with 350 of them benefiting from the support program. As part of the program, upon admission to work in schools in all regions of the Republic, teachers forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh will receive a 30% additional payment for 2 years, and in some areas in general education institutions of Syunik, Vayots Dzor, in some communities of Gegharkunik and Tavush regions - they will also receive an extra payment of 50 thousand AMD when applying for a job.

Other issues of bilateral interest were also considered during the meeting. The potential for collaboration with the European Union in culture and sports was also considered.