No Compromise on Construction Quality in School Building Sector, Says Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, visited the newly built main school in Katnaghbyur, Kotayk Province, to familiarize himself with the ongoing works. According to the Prime Minister’s office, the construction work for the school started in November 2020 and completed in July 2023. The construction was funded by the state budget with a total of 712.3 million drams allocated. An additional 18 million 660 thousand drams were allocated from the state budget for purchasing the school equipment. Improvements to the area, installation of solar panels, and the construction of internal engineering systems have also been carried out. This academic year, 180 students are enrolled in the school.

The Prime Minister congratulated the attendees on the opening of the school and noted: “We were here a few months ago and agreed that the school would be ready by September 1. Yesterday, today, and the day before, we have visited several new schools. Yesterday we visited four schools and two the day before. With these visits, we not only express our joy but also try to see what issues exist that need to be resolved.”

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that there will be no compromise on the quality of construction in the school building sector: “Today we are recording that we have work to do. Of course, there are certain construction deficiencies everywhere that must be corrected. Yesterday we reached a working order agreement that this is our principle—especially in the sector of school construction, we will not have a compromise on construction quality. In other words, everything must accurately correspond to the technical assignments set by the Government.”

The head of government added that the executive is trying to implement a new culture in construction: “For example, this modular school project. This type of school has never existed in the Republic of Armenia. This is an important nuance that we often overlook, but it is a fact. In other words, we have never had a school like this, designed in this way, with this architecture, and with this substantive logic, and therefore it is normal that we are learning on the go. In the upcoming days, we will solve the issue of laboratory equipment, as well as the problem of sports equipment in certain areas, and we noted the issue of the irrigation system. Not to worry, all of this will be corrected, and we will also make necessary adjustments in the standard designs.”

The Prime Minister noted that the response to the Government’s projects, especially regarding modular type schools, is generally positive: “Of course, the schools related to this project need to respond as well, but from my initial impression regarding our existing projects, the overall response is positive. Current works will be carried out, but our observation remains that within these building conditions, it is possible to organize a high-level educational process, and that is what we expect from the school.”

Addressing the issue of teachers’ salaries, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned that as of September 1, salaries for teachers of subjects in certain technical fields and for teachers in remote and underloaded schools have also increased, regardless of voluntary certification: “But voluntary certification is very important for us. Dear directors, dear teachers, you should know that your salary has at least doubled. It has not just started from September 1, but from the moment you decide that, because the Government has created that opportunity for you. We are saying, go and take your at least doubled salary. This is very important because that voluntary certification should also record the teacher's compliance with the new standards of general education that we have adopted. It is very important to ensure a harmonious policy in this sector, to coordinate with each other—the Government, educational communities, and local self-government bodies. No matter how much we talk about schools, we have always underestimated them. The main function of the school is to teach children how to ensure their own and their family's well-being in adult life.”

“We need to teach children how to live well. We must tell children, ‘Dear ones, you should live well, you should live prosperously.’ For this, in my assessment, four things are necessary. First, knowledge and skills; yesterday I also said that knowledge is not just about knowing information, which is very important; knowledge is the ability to obtain necessary information as quickly as possible at the right time. You should be physically strong; both boys and girls should be mentally resilient, capable of standing against the life’s challenges that, unfortunately, life does not inform us about in advance. And fourth, you must be hardworking, with a special respect for work. Meanwhile, you should know that there is no bad job; any job is good and deserving of respect. Today, it is often discussed, and it is normal—both parents and teachers want children to enter higher educational institutions. But also, if we look at the issue not only from the perspective of a diploma but also of well-being, it is not at all a fact that higher education is what will ensure well-being for every child,” the Prime Minister emphasized, adding that the essence and purpose of school is also to identify the best talent in each child that will ensure their well-being and consequently economic development.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government's program for building 300 schools and expressed hope that more newly constructed schools will be opened soon: “In particular, we expect that new or renovated schools will be opened soon. We are anticipating the completion of construction of Yerevan's 111, 122 main schools, as well as the schools of Jrarat in Kotayk Province and Medovka in Lori Province. Yesterday, we agreed that with such a representative composition, we will be present at all schools to share the joy, but also to learn what we need to correct in our work so that in subsequent phases everything is in place from the very first day of opening,” said Nikol Pashinyan.

Addressing the students, the Prime Minister again urged them to take care of the premises and create a pleasant, convenient, and familiar environment, which is also part of the educational process: “I want to once again congratulate everyone on the launch of this school and wish us all success. Glory to the martyrs and long live the Republic of Armenia,” concluded Nikol Pashinyan.