‘Instead of Complaining About School Directors, Address the Questions to the Minister of Health’ - Sophia Hovsepyan

Former MP Sophia Hovsepyan’s statement: “Dear parents, educators, and concerned citizens,

Considering the numerous calls and messages I have received regarding the organization of classes in schools, I find it necessary to address this publicly, as I understand there is a pressing need.

Yes, the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports has announced that classes can be held every day in person, but all sanitary and hygienic norms established by the Ministry of Health must be strictly adhered to.

The crux of the issue lies here, and few have paid attention to this particular clause (strictly adhere to all sanitary and hygienic norms). Among these norms, there are also points that require students to sit at a specified distance from each other, separately, and so on. In classrooms with 30 or more students, it is impossible to organize classes every day, as no school has such conditions.

Therefore, schools are forced to adhere to these norms and split the classes into two parts to organize lessons on alternate days. Only those schools that have small classes with up to 20 students can benefit from this announcement and organize the educational process daily without splitting the classes.

In all other cases, it is not feasible to implement this announcement and the requirements set by the Ministry of Health. Thus, I urge you, instead of complaining about school directors, to direct your questions to the Minister of Health, or accept the fact that at this stage, the risk can be mitigated in this manner, and approach the issue with understanding.”