Government Allocates 523.4 Million Dram for Educational and Sports Schools Equipment

The Government of Armenia has allocated 523 million 400 thousand dram for providing educational and sports schools with equipment.

The decision was made today, August 29, during a government meeting. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan presented the report, stating that a total of 110 types of sports equipment will be given to 54 sports organizations and 7 types of equipment will be distributed to 330 educational institutions.

The Minister emphasized that the availability of sports equipment is directly related to success in sports at a higher level and informed that studies have shown that the sports equipment in schools is currently worn out and unsuitable for use. He also mentioned that from 2012 to 2019, less funding was allocated for sports equipment than what they plan to allocate now in one go.

“The Ministry of Sport allocated 420 million dram from 2012 to 2019, and we are now allocating 523 million dram at once. From 2017 to 2019, no equipment was provided at all, and the same was true in 2014. Studies also show that most of our champions come from a very limited number of schools. The same studies indicate that this is also related to the lack of sports equipment provided. This is an additional impetus to solve one of the major objectives you raised in Stepanakert regarding the sports field. Of course, there are other tasks to address. We have recently discussed with the National Olympic Committee several issues related to the qualifications of coaches in schools and the organization of schools, which are in the spotlight,” he said.

After the report, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighted that it is clear that the integration of ministries is justified, as it makes communication between different sectors more efficient and priorities more visible.

The Prime Minister also inquired about the construction works of the Olympic champion Arthur Aleksanyan's named sports school in Gyumri. His assistant, Nairi Sargsyan, mentioned that there will be a meeting today with the athlete's father, Gevorg Aleksanyan, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Gevorg Loretsyan to discuss architectural issues. Regarding the construction, Chairman of the Urban Development Committee Vahagn Vermishev stated that the volumes of work will be determined next year and will be included in next year’s planning. Arayik Harutyunyan added that an interesting project has been proposed by the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia.