Strike and Class Suspension Announced at Goris State College

The staff of Goris State College has declared an indefinite strike and class suspension, officially notifying the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education on October 4. This announcement is contained in a statement from the initiating group, which reads, "To familiarize with the demands of the strikers and the suspended teachers, we present below the notification letter.

As you are aware of the situation at Goris State College since March-April 2025, we find it pointless to reiterate everything. From the very first days of the new academic year, the tension continues in the educational institution, as our stance on the situation remains unchanged, while the ministry seems to overlook and ignore all of this.

Moreover, a civil case has been initiated (VD/4825/05/25), and during the proceedings, numerous facts concerning the irregularities committed by the accreditation commission led by Araxie Svajyan have already come to light, including document forgery and distortion.

We are particularly astonished by the indifference of the Minister of Education and Science, Zhanna Andreasian, as it seems nothing has happened or is happening; it appears to her that the situation at the 100-year-old college in Goris is of no importance.

In an effort to exit the current situation, the collective sent a letter to the minister on September 29 (with 57 signatures), proposing a temporary and reasonable solution based on the fact that the court has applied security measures for the claim.

However, it appears the minister is avoiding confronting reality and discussing our proposal. We can also see that the minister is taking steps that further aggravate the situation.

We are increasingly convinced that the ministry is fulfilling an order from certain individuals at the expense of the state, the educational institution, and the students. We are more convinced that what is happening is an act of vengeance against Karen Lazaryan.

Having exhausted the means to defend our rights and the interests of hundreds of students, we are forced to resort to a strike, of which we are informing you. The strike will commence minutes after the appointment of an acting director of the newly established college (without agreeing and discussing with the collective).

Our demands are as follows: 1. To annul the order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia or their deputy regarding the appointment of an acting director of the newly established multifunctional college in Goris; 2. To postpone the appointment of the acting director until the conclusion of the court proceedings for the civil case VD/4825/05/25 and the entry into force of the court decision; 3. In the event it is impossible to postpone the appointment of the acting director, to appoint the current director of Goris State College, Karen Lazaryan, as the temporary acting director until the conclusion of the aforementioned court proceedings and the announcement of a competition for the vacant director position; 4. To hold a meeting in Goris with the Minister of Education and Science, Zhanna Andreasian, to discuss the current situation.

We will start the strike from the moment (as mentioned) when the acting director of the new college is appointed (without the agreement of the collective), and we will continue the strike until the above demands are met.

P.S. Today, on October 6, it has been informed from the Ministry of Education and Science that the appointment of the director of the newly established college is conducted without considering the opinion of the collective of Goris State College, thus a strike is declared with the stated demands.”