Why are you creating unnecessary obstacles for us? Arayik Harutyunyan to the Director of Chekhov School

The Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia launched an online registration system on May 15 for the admission of children to the first grade in public schools in Yerevan. Brief technical issues raised some concerns. Authorities in the field discussed this and other issues, including reforms in the education sector, during a meeting with school directors, which was attended by Minister of Education and Science Arayik Harutyunyan and Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Tigran Virabyan. This was reported by the Public Relations Department of the Municipality.

“The state is implementing several projects aimed primarily at making processes more transparent, restoring fairness, and creating equal conditions for everyone. I urge and demand you to be equal bearers of the tasks set by the state and the community and to be responsible for the processes,” emphasized Tigran Virabyan.

While discussing the new admission rules for first graders, the issue of a problem that initially prevented parents from registering their children in a timely manner was mentioned and has since been resolved. Parents of children registered online can submit the required documents to the school within 15 working days after the registration. Schools are obliged to accept the documents on every working day.

“Parents come to the school with the necessary document package and you say, ‘bring the pin codes.’ What do you need them for? Directors are artificially creating obstacles by sending parents back. Moreover, what is the need for additional documents to be presented for the child’s registration? It is clear that you want to admit selected individuals, but please don’t do it this way,” noted Minister Arayik Harutyunyan.

After the launch of the new registration system, many parents began to address the Municipality and the Ministry with the issue that there were no places available in their preferred schools. Authorities in the field consider this guidance to be artificial.

“You don’t need to seek answers to questions at the Yerevan Municipality that you haven’t received from the Ministry and vice versa, because these two bodies cooperate closely and have a common policy. We can no longer intervene in a process implemented via an electronic system, and there is no need to look for other means,” emphasized Tigran Virabyan.

“We must end the detrimental situation where children were accepted into certain oligarchic schools through acquaintances, relatives, or intermediaries from the authorities. This will no longer happen. If you know your quotas have been filled, why are you directing the parent to the Ministry? For instance, this concerns the director of the Chekhov School. Ms. Sarukhanyan, why are you creating unnecessary obstacles for us and directing parents to the Ministry? Yes, the law states that equal conditions must be provided for everyone. Where there are unfair directions to the Municipality or the Ministry, directors should be reprimanded for failing to fulfill their responsibilities,” said the Minister of Education.

The director of the Chekhov School noted that they have not directed anyone, but welcome reforms and are moving in step with the times.

Another issue related to the new registration system was raised by the head of the Public Education Department of the Yerevan Municipality, who requested that it be investigated: parents prefer to take their child to the school where other siblings already attend. The lack of available spots creates additional problems for parents.

The meeting also discussed the composition of school governing councils and the election of council presidents. It was noted that meetings cannot be held within minutes, and school vice-principals or any staff members cannot always be elected as presidents. The Ministry plans to expand the functions of the structure. Parents' obligations will also be expanded to facilitate the work of schools. The reforms will take practical effect in the next academic year. In the meantime, the “Final Bell” event is approaching. Directors were once again warned to be attentive and to eliminate any case or even attempt of fundraising.