Teachers of Schools with Up to 100 Students to Receive Additional Pay, Says Ministry

Teachers from schools with up to 100 students, as well as all teachers in the republic instructing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects, with the exception of those teaching mathematics, will receive additional pay. The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Araksyan Svajyan, stated this during a consultation session with directors and deputy directors of public and preschool education institutions in preparation for the upcoming academic year.

Addressing the implementation of the new nationwide curriculum, Svajyan noted that it will be introduced for 2nd, 5th, and 7th grades starting in September. The introduction of the new curriculum for 10th grade will take place in the next academic year.

Discussions also touched upon mandatory and voluntary certification, the introduction of a new financing model, and the organization of inclusive education. It was mentioned that starting this September, the new financing model will make the position of a psychologist mandatory in all schools.

The Deputy Minister provided clarifications regarding the director certification process, the introduction of qualification tiers in preschool education, and the implementation of the new preschool education curriculum. It was noted that last year, the preschool education standards were tested in 60 institutions, and this year it will be implemented in an additional 130 institutions.

It is noteworthy that the series of consultations for the 2023-2024 academic year commenced on August 21 and will conclude on August 29 in Yerevan. The first consultation concerning reforms in public education was held in the Aragatsotn region, followed by a second in the Shirak region.