4000 Teachers Have Applied for Online Learning Skills, Says Araik Harutyunyan

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia held a remote working discussion today, March 26, with representatives of organizations involved in joint activities in the education sector. This information has been provided by the Ministry's press service.

Participants in the remote discussion included Minister Araik Harutyunyan, deputies Arthur Martirosyan and Zhanna Andreasyan, as well as representatives from more than thirty partner organizations.

Welcoming the participants, Minister Harutyunyan expressed gratitude for their willingness to collaborate and coordinate efforts in the context of the emergency situation announced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. He noted that in light of the current situation, the ministry has immediately begun taking necessary steps to ensure the continuity of the educational process in educational institutions and to maximize children's right to education.

According to the minister, the National Center for Educational Technologies has initially launched a comprehensive page of remote education resources, and has prepared video lessons for all subjects for schoolchildren, which are also shared daily through the ministry's Facebook page. Harutyunyan also informed that a public lesson organized with the Public Television is available to everyone, and television applications have been launched for sharing video lessons. Approximately 4000 educators have applied to acquire online learning skills.

Deputy Minister Arthur Martirosyan also expressed gratitude to colleagues for responding to the invitation for a working meeting within a tight timeframe. He mentioned that the purpose of the discussion is to draw the attention of partner organizations to the directions and priorities currently outlined by the ministry. According to him, the ministry benefits from such a working discussion to be informed about the planned efforts of partners in terms of the realization of the right to education and the continuity of education, which the ministry is undertaking amid the coronavirus pandemic under the coordination of the commandant's office.

Deputy Minister Zhanna Andreasyan noted that about 80 percent of schoolchildren are included in the new remote education initiatives, and the ministry is currently assessing the issues and seeking solutions. She presented the areas where support is needed from the Armenian side, such as providing equipment to children from socially disadvantaged families for inclusion in remote learning, ensuring internet access, developing mobile applications for the created resources, enhancing teachers' skills in organizing remote teaching, and assisting in the disinfection of all educational institutions. She emphasized the importance of making remote education inclusive for children with disabilities and those needing special educational conditions.

The representatives of partner organizations welcomed the initiative of the meeting and considered the measures undertaken by the ministry within a short timeframe to be impressive, as well as the positive response from the educational community. They presented the actions that have already been implemented or are planned to be carried out under emergency conditions. It was agreed that each organization would present its proposal for programmatic support, which the ministry will also discuss with the commandant's office.