Nearly $60,000 Spent on National Assembly's 'Summer School'

The National Assembly's 'Summer School' has cost the impoverished budget of the Republic of Armenia 8 million drams more than Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's cycling event. This is reported by the 'Hayastani Jamanak' daily.

'The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia organized a two-week free summer school for high school students from August 19 to August 31, 2024, in Yerevan and the regions. Meetings and discussions were held with parliament members and high-ranking officials.

To conduct the 'Summer School', Chief of Staff of the National Assembly, Davit Arakelyan, signed a contract with 'Lore Travel' LLC. The contract was worth 22 million 80 thousand drams—almost $56,000—setting specific requirements. According to the agreement, transportation was provided from hotels to the National Assembly for 30 participants, from the National Assembly to hotels for 60 participants, as well as to other locations for 60 participants. Dinners were also prepared for 60 individuals.

Organization of breaks for participants at a restaurant (on Saturdays and Sundays) was planned for 60 persons (at 12,000 drams per person, including all service fees). This included cold snacks, salads, hot snacks, soups, hot dishes, pastries, soft drinks (including natural), desserts (pastries), fruits, etc. Final orders were to be coordinated with the clients/organizers.

Visits to museums, galleries, cinemas, the National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet, restaurants, and more were also arranged.

While 22 million drams might seem minimal for education, the breakdown of expenses for the 'Summer School' casts further doubt on the program's seriousness. What did the 'Summer School' participants accomplish? The National Assembly organized a campfire on its premises, including all necessary items for the campfire and 70 puff chairs (soft chairs).

According to the expenses listed, purchased items included: ceramic mugs with handles, double-sided, imprinted with the logo of the National Assembly's summer school; T-shirts made of thick cotton, short-sleeve, white, also featuring the logo with a price of 5,000 drams for 180 pieces; eco-bags with printing for 70 pieces at 3,500 drams each; four types of stickers, 70 pieces each, also featuring the logo, at a total price of 450 drams; bookmarks printed on both sides and also marked with the logo for a total of 70 pieces priced at 350 drams; a photo frame for 75,000 drams.

According to the technical specifications of the contract signed for the National Assembly's 'Summer School', 24 million drams—nearly $60,000—were allocated. Another contract was also signed for the provision of catering/break services for participants of the 2024 'Summer School' program, worth 1 million 800 thousand drams. Thus, it appears that the staff of the National Assembly allocated funds for a temporary program focused more on social interaction than serious instruction,' writes the daily.