25,000 Students' Right to Education Violated, Says Zhanna Andreasian

As a result of Azerbaijan's unleashed military aggression, the right to education of 25,000 students in the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions of Armenia has been violated. Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Zhanna Andreasian announced this at a press conference held at the Armenpress press hall.

Andreasian noted that in some areas of these regions, the security situation has been such that children have been deprived of their right to education and the opportunity to continue their education. This applies to both school and preschool institutions.

“In the mentioned three regions, more than 6,000 children attending preschool institutions have also been deprived of the opportunity to continue their education. All of last week, those communities had a break; that is, educational institutions were not operational. The missed classes will be made up later. In communication with our regional partners, I can say that we have a decision, and from today, schools will restore their operations,” Andreasian said.

In schools where there is a possibility to ensure safety, education will be organized in-person. In other localities, the process will be organized remotely. Distance education will resume in 12 schools in Gegharkunik, mainly in the Vardenis region, in 3 schools in Vayots Dzor, and in 112 schools in Syunik. Only 5 schools here will resume in-person teaching. The deputy minister mentioned that considering the development of the situation, new decisions will be made every day.

“Schools have accumulated extensive experience in remote learning, unfortunately not only during the pandemic. In the autumn of 2020, during the war, we transitioned to remote learning from the first days in border communities, providing the necessary equipment. We believe that schools' capabilities to organize remote education are sufficient,” Andreasian stated.

As a result of shelling by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, two educational institutions in Gegharkunik have been damaged. Andreasian reported that restoration work would be regulated very quickly. Targeting educational institutions, according to Andreasian, is concerning, as it is a violation from the perspective of all international laws.