The RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has submitted for public discussion the draft of a new order of funding educational institutions from the state budget. It establishes that the funding of institutions should be provided with an integrated approach, creating sufficient conditions for their regular activities. Regardless of the subordination of institutions, funding is provided according to a General formula, in accordance with the ongoing education programs. The proposed new formula, in contrast to the previous one, takes into account not only the number of students, but also the average annual number of classes in elementary, middle and high schools, to which is added the minimum wage per teacher multiplied by the number of teachers per class. One of the most important major changes is that funding is provided for head teachers and chair of the methodical association, which is equal to ten percent of the minimum wage of a teaching rate. Previously, the payment of that amount was left to the discretion of the school, the head teachers and the chairs of the methodical association were paid, taking into account the financial condition of the educational institution and in some cases they were not paid at all. The number of administrative staff rates is determined by the number of classes, and the monthly wage is calculated by a general approach. In particular, the salary of the director of the educational institution is equal to the 1^st level of the salary of the 5^th group of senior civil service positions, the deputy director is equal to the 1^st level of the salary of the 3^rd group of professional positions of the civil service. Moreover, in case of an average annual number of 24 or more classes, the coefficient of 1.18 applies to the director's salary, for the deputy directors the coefficient is 1.12; with 36 or more classes, the director's salary coefficient will become 1.32, and for the deputy directors - 1.21. In case of an average annual number of 48 or more classes, 1.42 and 1.3 coefficients will be applied to the salary of the director and deputy director, respectively. The calculation of funding is based on the maintenance costs of the institutions, as well as the number of staff defined for them. The new funding order also defines the salaries of accounting staff, financial and economic activities, organization of laboratories, provision of pedagogical and psychological support, maintenance and care of buildings and surrounding territories, which are now equivalent to certain groups of professional civil service positions.

The new funding order will enter into force from January 21. The current funding formula approved by the RA Government decision № 1262-N of August 24, 2006, will be considered invalid which, as noted in the justification, does not provide solutions to the issues relating to universal inclusiveness, an integrated approach to the salaries of teaching and non-participating staff, as well as rationing of certain types of expenses.