The Ministry Will Provide Support with Masks and Disinfectants if the School's Budget is Insufficient: Araik Harutyunyan

Today, on August 31, during a Facebook press conference, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Araik Harutyunyan addressed the new academic year and the organization of students' learning processes. He noted that the government is making efforts to provide a certain quantity of masks, especially in cases where a child's mask is damaged or lost. The ministry will supply masks and disinfectants to a certain extent.

In response to a user's question about the possibility of returning to remote learning due to the pandemic, the minister stated, "The most undesirable scenario for us would be this, as it is very challenging for the ministry to constantly adapt the system, and nonetheless it has an impact on the quality of education, as these changes have negative consequences. Right now, we are doing everything to prevent such a course and are fully preparing for the reopening of schools. This is linked to how well we respect and adhere to the anti-epidemic rules and the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the commandant's office."

When asked whether first graders would be required to wear masks, Harutyunyan mentioned that those guidelines and regulations were issued back in May-June, when citizens aged six and above are required to wear masks, which also applies to schoolchildren. "We will have discussions in the near future, and any changes will also be related to the overall anti-epidemic situation. If we see a decrease in numbers, then naturally these regulations will be relaxed as well. We are in constant communication with the commandant's office and the Ministry of Health," he said.

Harutyunyan also noted that the published guidelines may change every week due to the evolving situation in the sector and the coronavirus pandemic. In response to another user's question about what will happen to schools and students who refuse to attend classes with masks, Araik Harutyunyan stated, "The ministry will support schools in this direction. Following discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister, it has been decided that supervisory bodies will also assist schools and educational institutions. During this period, we will also work with parents and come to an agreement regarding the necessity of adhering to the rules, and that children must attend classes. If a child does not attend school, there will be appropriate negative consequences, interruptions in the continuity of education, which will inevitably lead to advancement issues in the coming months and years and generally a decline in educational standards."