Approximately 334 Billion Drams Allocated to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports

According to the preliminary version of the draft law on the "State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2024," a budget of 333 billion 989 million drams has been planned for the implementation of budgetary programs in the fields of education, science, culture, and sports. This amount is 83 billion 721 million drams or 33.5 percent more than the financial allocation of the current year. This was announced by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan, during a working discussion held by the permanent committee of the Armenian National Assembly on science, education, culture, diaspora, youth, and sports issues on July 11. The working discussion was chaired by the committee's president, Sisak Gabrielyan.

According to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, the additional 83 billion drams will be directed towards the education sector. Several important programs will be implemented, including the school construction program, for which 62.5 billion drams has been allocated, exceeding this year’s figures by 47 billion drams. The Minister emphasized that this refers to the "300 schools, 500 kindergartens" program, with funds allocated for the construction of schools and their furnishings. All design work for the institutions is expected to be completed by the end of this year. In 2024, design work will be carried out for 308 institutions under the "Safe School" program. According to the Minister, the "Zeytun" student dormitory will undergo a complete reconstruction, meeting modern requirements and standards.

In response to the question from committee chair Sisak Gabrielyan, the Minister stated that approximately 60 schools will be commissioned this year, and every effort will be made to implement all planned programs. "We are working with the logic of completing the projects before the end of the Government's program," the Minister said.

The volume of the general education program has increased by 30 billion drams. It was also noted that all schools in the Armavir region will receive science laboratories with support from external sources. The competition for new school textbooks is in its final phase. The financial resources for the first phase of the construction of the academic city have already been specified and planned. With state support, museum collections will be replenished every year. "For years, no funds have been allocated for acquiring new works of art and cultural values; there has been a lack of state policy on this issue. A systematic approach will be shown in this regard," the Minister added, noting that a new funding model for cultural institutions will soon be implemented.

MP Hakob Aslanyan inquired about the fate of vocational schools. The Minister noted that there are currently 21 vocational schools operating, but there are also colleges that perform the same functions. In total, approximately 100 state institutions of secondary vocational education are in operation.

Additionally, 4.5 billion drams have been allocated to the "Quality Education Assurance" program. The Minister reported that as of now, 5,200 applications have been submitted for voluntary certification of teachers; however, about 20 percent of applicants do not participate in the certification.

Capital expenditures have also been planned for the culture sector, where 11 monuments will be restored next year, 9 will undergo restoration and design work, and two museums will be renovated and designed. 17 museums will receive furnishings. Zhanna Andreasyan reported that renovation and reconstruction projects have also been planned for three performing arts organizations, and eight performing arts organizations will be provided with furnishings, three of which will include musical instruments.

“Work is planned to replenish the furnishings of 20 libraries,” the Minister noted and added that in the sports sector, construction will continue for two sports schools and one complex, and 70 sports institutions will be furnished. During the working discussion, MPs raised numerous questions to the Minister regarding the fields of education, science, culture, and sports.