Will the School Year in Artsakh Start on September 1?

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Artsakh has not yet made a definitive decision on whether to commence the new academic year on September 1. This was stated by Artsakh's Minister of Education and Science, Norair Mkrtchyan, in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

"If the blockade continues, it is more likely that it will be decided not to start, as there are many issues ranging from organizational matters to lack of transportation, insufficient supplies of stationery, mobility issues, and so on," the minister noted, adding that a final decision will be made on the eve of September 1.

The media outlet reports that he mentioned they would wait another 3-4 days, and if there is a sudden change in the situation, the school year will likely begin. Mkrtchyan assured that they are more inclined to start the academic year on September 1 and, despite the challenges, have already begun preparations, addressing organizational issues, developing programs, allocating timeframes, and so forth.

"We will probably make individual decisions regarding different settlements. If we see that it is possible to organize the educational process in a certain locality, maintain thermal regimes, resolve food supply issues, and manage attendance, then local decisions will be made to start the academic year in that specific locality," the minister emphasized in the interview.

It is noteworthy that on December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis in civilian clothing blocked the Stepanakert-Goris highway connecting Artsakh to Armenia under the pretext of environmental concerns, from which they departed on April 28, as Azerbaijan had established a checkpoint on the Lachin corridor on April 23, taking full control of it. Artsakh has also been deprived of gas and electricity supplied from Armenia.