Reduction of Janitorial Positions in Kindergartens

The government has decided that starting from September 1, 2026, the position of janitor in preschool educational institutions will be reduced. This is part of a controversial government decision made on December 4, 2025, regarding changes to the previous decision N 1485-N from September 29, 2022, which reviewed the model staffing table for state and community preschool educational institutions and the classification criteria for the remuneration groups of pedagogical and administrative staff.

Currently, regulations stipulate that kindergartens with independent buildings and two or more groups are allocated one janitorial position, as well as an additional 0.5 position for each subsequent 2000 m² of usable space exceeding 2000 m². However, the government has decided that one janitor is sufficient to ensure the around-the-clock safety of kindergartens and their attending students.

To clarify the issue, NEWS.am issued a written inquiry to the government, which redirected the query to the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of the Republic of Armenia. We specifically inquired about the rationale behind the removal of the janitorial position and what alternative mechanisms are proposed to ensure the safety of children. In particular, we asked how around-the-clock security will be addressed if the staffing table only provides for one janitorial position, considering the labor code requirements for rest and working hours in Armenia.

In response, the ministry clarified that the exemplary staffing table for preschool educational institutions includes positions defined by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport in decree N 20-N dated March 27, 2024 (with the exception of the nursing position). “According to this legal act, pedagogical staff are responsible for the safety of the students’ lives and health, as well as for ensuring a safe and active lifestyle during their time in the institution,” the ministry stated in response.