Educational Institutions in Artsakh Suspend Operations for One Week

The Minister of Education, Science and Sports of Artsakh, Narine Aghabalayan, held a consultation on March 13 with the directors of secondary schools in Stepanakert to discuss the suspension of the educational process due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

She noted that the officials responsible within the Ministry of Education regularly discuss further actions in the field and outline necessary steps. “If the need arises to suspend classes, teachers should assign home tasks to students during this time, carry out flexible work, and make decisions as needed regarding external current assessments and unified examinations. The goal is clear—preserve health, prevent the penetration and spread of the new coronavirus in Artsakh, and at the same time, ensure the assimilation of educational programs,” the minister stated.

Addressing attendance rates, Narine Aghabalayan reported positive results from the measures taken in the previous week as this week's attendance is within normal limits. “We had a few schools where the number of absentees was high. Such figures were mainly recorded in rural areas where there are few students. As of March 11, the absentee rate in public schools across the republic was 9.2%, while on March 12, it was 8%. The decrease is evident,” she added.

Regarding acute respiratory infections and influenza, the sector's responsible official informed that the preventive measures implemented have successfully halted the spread of diseases, which is crucial to avoid overburdening the healthcare system. She expressed confidence that proper actions will also be able to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

When asked how the two-week suspension of classes should be addressed, Narine Aghabalayan responded, “It is essential to properly distribute the tasks of teachers and directors. We must definitely raise each individual's awareness of social responsibility; everyone is responsible not only for their own health but also for the health of those around them. Teachers and students who are ill with the flu or have a fever should not attend educational institutions. Methodological union leaders will work on compensating for missed classes, and teachers will be able to check students and track the progress of assignments through online applications. If necessary, we will condense the educational program and take other appropriate measures.”

During the consultation of the operational headquarters in Artsakh, chaired by President Bako Sahakyan, it was decided that preschool, extracurricular, secondary vocational (technical), and higher educational institutions will suspend operations for one week starting March 14.