How Many Teachers Displaced from Artsakh are Working in Schools? Deputy Minister of Education

On December 12, the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Araksia Svajyan, presented the progress of support programs related to the education of individuals forcefully displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh at the Government's Humanitarian Center.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, while introducing the teacher support program, Araksia Svajyan noted that a platform has been launched for teachers who have been forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, showcasing the available vacancies in public schools in Armenia.

“Our forcibly displaced compatriots can choose a suitable school in their place of residence, apply for a job without competition, and receive a 30 percent salary increase. Additionally, in certain regions, particularly in schools across Syunik and Vayots Dzor, and in some educational institutions in Gegharkunik and Tavush, there is an extra 50,000 dram bonus. Currently, 200 teachers have applied for work on a secondment basis; 12 have declined due to changes in their place of residence. A total of 188 teachers are already working in public schools,” the deputy minister reported.

According to Araksia Svajyan, in the near future, these teachers will undergo retraining with the support of the World Bank to prepare them for teaching under the new state standards of general education. Groups have already been formed, and a schedule has been established for the retraining courses, which will be conducted by the end of December.

Regarding teachers seeking employment in Yerevan, Svajyan mentioned that they can follow the general procedure by participating in a competition.

As for the reimbursement of tuition fees for displaced students from Artsakh who continue their education in colleges, vocational schools, and universities, Araksia Svajyan stated that, according to the latest data, there are 1,231 students studying in primary and secondary vocational institutions, and 1,844 in higher education institutions. “The reimbursement of tuition fees for these students is provided in the form of scholarships. I would like to emphasize that in the coming days the Government will approve a decision that will also establish reimbursement mechanisms for tuition fees for students studying in state educational institutions of Armenia until September 19. These students are divided into two main groups: one group consists of students whose tuition was reimbursed by the Artsakh government, while the second group consists of students whose families have paid their tuition fees and are now in a difficult financial situation. If the new decision is adopted, we will also be able to reimburse their tuition fees,” Araksia Svajyan summarized.