Class Sizes to be Reduced in Schools, Says Andreasian

As part of the implementation of the new education standards, class sizes will be reduced in schools, resulting in a maximum of 25 students in elementary and middle school classes, and 20 students in high school classes. This was announced by Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasian during a special session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs on March 28, where the progress of the implementation of the government's program (2021-2026) for 2023 was discussed.

Emphasizing the target set by the state program for the development of education in Armenia until 2030, which aims to increase the accessibility of educational services and raise the minimum quality threshold, the minister highlighted that the substantive reforms in general education are directed at achieving these targets.

Andreasian noted that from September 2023, the new education standards will be implemented in the 2nd, 5th, and 7th grades of all public schools, which were previously tested in the Tavush region of Armenia. According to the minister, the World Bank recently published a report on the testing of the new standards in Tavush. “According to the results of external independent assessments, the implementation of the standards has ensured an increase in educational outcomes by at least six months. Thus, according to studies conducted in 2015, children achieved around 8 years of educational results over 12 years, while after the implementation of the new standards, this gap has decreased by approximately 6 months,” said Zhanna Andreasian.

According to the minister, alongside the implementation of the new education standards, the number of students in classrooms will be reduced, positively impacting the quality of education. “In schools with up to 100 students, considering that the issue of class density is no longer relevant, other solutions have been provided. From September, a new salary supplement system has been introduced, benefiting over 3,000 teachers whose monthly salaries have increased by an average of up to 40,000 drams,” emphasized Zhanna Andreasian.

The minister highlighted that within the framework of voluntary certification, in 2023, 2,976 teachers achieved positive certification results, receiving higher salary rates and additional payments based on the points collected. Due to the introduction of the new standards, changes have been made to the assessment system, particularly eliminating unsatisfactory grades in elementary classes.

Among the educational programs, the minister also emphasized the improvement of school infrastructures, the creation of STEM laboratories, and the school nutrition program. Zhanna Andreasian noted that our country has joined the Global Coalition for School Nutrition, which includes the incorporation of healthy food and healthy lifestyle principles into schools according to the new standards.

An important reform is also the implementation of cultural and sports programs in educational institutions. The adoption of the Strategy for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports, approved by the government in December last year, aims to increase opportunities for sports participation, including in rural areas. The minister also presented the programs implemented in the cultural sector, noting that an electronic registry of tangible and intangible cultural heritage has been established.