President Refuses to Sign the Law on Higher Education and Science, Appeals to the Constitutional Court

The President of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, has refused to sign the law on Higher Education and Science, along with a related package of laws, which was submitted for his signature by the National Assembly on April 2, 2021.

The President discussed the law with the leadership of the National Academy of Sciences, academicians, representatives from universities, the science and education sector, and NGOs, listening to their opinions and observations.

According to the justification presented alongside the law, its main aim is to enhance the effectiveness of the management of education and science systems. However, it should be emphasized that the law lacks a systemic approach, and the regulations it proposes offer mostly fragmented solutions to existing problems in the fields of science and education.

Before adopting such legislation, there should first be a clear vision, strategy, and program for the development of science and education, outlining the direction we are heading in and what kind of science and education we wish to develop.

The law, in its current state, does not fully reflect modern trends in the development of science and education. At the same time, analyses and expert opinions from the President's administration concerning the law have led to the conclusion that certain provisions are apparently problematic from a constitutional perspective.

Considering the aforementioned, the President has opted not to sign the law and has appealed to the Constitutional Court to determine its compliance with the Constitution.