Do Not Say That One Should Not Study for Grades, but for Knowledge and Its Demand: LHK MP

Apologies for sounding critical once again, but I cannot stay silent, as behind my words are the concerns of dozens of teachers and parents that seem to be ignored and unanswered. Even if just one teacher or one parent were concerned, we must approach the issue with the same seriousness, reasonableness, and responsibility. This was stated by Anna Kostanyan, a member of the 'Enlightened Armenia' faction, on her Facebook page.

She specifically noted: 'Now, to the main topic. Making methodological changes in this new educational reality created after March 13 due to the coronavirus is not the right approach. It is not justified that if 20, 25, 30, or even 40 or 50 percent of the Republic's students have not had the opportunity to attend remote classes, the rest should be deprived of numeric assessment of new remote educational successes and achievements.'

'And do not say that one should not study for grades, but for knowledge and its demand. Yes, for knowledge, but as long as assessment by grades is fundamental in the educational system, we cannot avoid its influence and consequences. If that is the case, then why not cancel the entire year, as we study for knowledge.'

'Why should half of the stakeholders in general education be “sacrificed” for or because of the other half? Are the children’s experiences not taken into account? What about the efforts of teachers, checking assignments late into the night, straining their eyes on their phones all day, correcting mistakes, and the daily stress of parents creating a calm environment at home so that children do not detach from the learning process? This is your responsibility; this entire burden is on your shoulders. Do not throw away the extensive work of two months.'

'Did you not know that not everyone in the Republic would be able to organize and participate in remote classes? If you did not know, this is your next oversight, another miscalculation, a wrong step.'

'My child’ (and many like him) made progress in certain subjects over two months, in which he may have approached differently before the reality of the pandemic. Understanding the seriousness of the moment and having a sense of responsibility, both to themselves and to their teacher, they have approached the subject and the lesson even more diligently.'

'Yes, one should not study for a grade; I am sure hundreds of parents think this way. But until you create and implement a more intelligent system, we must refrain from making improvised steps.'

'Finally, there are studies on evaluating the changes in the educational system since 2018 that clearly show in which direction our government’s so dearly loved 'core' has moved. I will address this in the coming days.'