Teacher Who Committed Violence Against Child Dismissed

The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of Armenia regularly receives alerts regarding incidents of violence in educational institutions. This information has been reported by the Ministry.

“One such alert was regarding a case of a first-grade teacher physically assaulting a child. Upon receiving this notification, the ministry contacted the Education Inspectorate, the Police, and the Prosecutor's Office. As a result of the actions taken, the teacher has been dismissed. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports is also planning to file a lawsuit to revoke the teacher's right to engage in pedagogical activities,” the statement said.

It is noted that such situations are unacceptable, and in these cases, the ministry will consistently approach the court with requests to deprive such educators of the right to further pedagogical activities. “Requests directed to the ministry indicate that incidents of violence exist both among children and in teacher-student relationships, which are often known to nearly all staff members, students, and representatives of the parent community within the educational institution. Awareness of violence and the failure to take action create an unacceptable tolerance for violence, which primarily affects children and the quality of education. It is also crucial to highlight that potential violence against teachers is equally intolerable, especially in cases of disrespectful behavior by parents,” the statement continued.

The ministry is also developing a legislative package aimed at clarifying the parental responsibilities in ensuring children's right to education, as well as taking necessary actions in cases of lack of consistency on these issues. Educational institutions must serve as safe and secure environments for learners; therefore, we urge everyone to refrain from any form of violence and to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities in order to jointly create a positive climate of communication and relationships within schools,” the statement concluded.