370 New Tablets for Vulnerable Children in Lori, Tavush, and Shirak Regions

The school-age children from vulnerable families in the Lori, Tavush, and Shirak regions of Armenia will receive support through the "Accessible Education for All During the State of Emergency Due to Coronavirus" program funded by the European Union, according to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Armenia.

Today, a memorandum was signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the Armenian Representation of Save the Children International, which will provide 370 new tablets and three-month internet cards to facilitate distance education for children from vulnerable families in the mentioned regions.

Education Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Andrea Victorin, and Save the Children International’s Armenian office head Astghik Movsisyan were present at the event.

The memorandum was signed by Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arthur Martirosyan and Astghik Movsisyan, the head of the Armenian representation office of Save the Children International.

In his opening remarks, Minister Arayik Harutyunyan noted the consistent partnership and support from the EU in coordinating activities of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport. He emphasized the large-scale initiatives outlined in the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the EU, many of which are currently underway.

According to the minister, a small testament to this enormous support is the provision of tablets and internet cards for 370 school-age children in the Lori, Tavush, and Shirak regions to facilitate their distance education.

EU Ambassador Andrea Victorin stated that the EU is willing to support Armenia in overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic. "We know that Armenia's needs are greater than the group of equipment we are providing. Under the EU budget support program, we foresee broader support," noted Victorin, adding that the EU will continue its cooperation with Armenia for a better future for the citizens of the Republic of Armenia.

The EU ambassador specifically emphasized the need to organize education for children who require special conditions during the pandemic, highlighting that they find themselves in the most vulnerable situation.