Maximum Number of Students in Each Class of Elementary and Basic Schools is 35: Ministry of Education

The composition rules for classes in state educational institutions implementing basic educational programs have been amended. Accordingly, the Decree No. 954-N of the Government of Armenia dated August 30, 2018, has been revised. This was announced by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

It has been established that until the full implementation of the new state standards for general education on September 1, 2026, the maximum number of students in each class of state educational institutions implementing basic educational programs (elementary and basic levels) will be 35, while in the educational third level (high school), it will be 30.

The regulations also include provisions concerning the formation of multi-composite classes studying the same subject within the institution. These provisions will come into effect starting September 1, 2023, only in the Syunik province (according to the principle of 30-35 compositions). In other provinces of the Republic, the principle for forming multi-composite classes will operate according to the regulations of the order No. 22-N of the Minister of Education dated October 14, 2019 (also according to the 30-35 composition principle).

At the same time, a regulation has been established stating that multi-composite classes will not be formed in the corresponding classes of state educational institutions implementing basic educational programs, where the state standards of general education are being implemented according to the established schedule. Therefore, in the 2023-2024 academic year, the second, fifth, and seventh grades of all schools in the Republic (except for Syunik province, where the new mechanism is implemented, and Tavush province, where training is conducted according to entirely new standards) will not merge with the formed multi-composite classes.

Additionally, regulations regarding the maximum number of students in classes (educational groups) composed of children needing special educational conditions (those requiring pedagogical-psychological support of the third and fourth levels) in special school-resource centers and specialized educational institutions have been provided.

It is also noted that in the educational third level of secondary schools, separate groups studying the same subject or the same subject program in the same field will be formed to develop students' professional interests and guidance. It is planned that starting September 1, 2026, the maximum number of students in each class of state educational institutions implementing basic educational programs (elementary and basic levels) will be 25, while in the educational third level (high school), it will be 20.