"REGENT" SCHOOL: FROM THAILAND TO EUROPE

Panorama.am
21:54 04/09/2007

"Our school will offer the opportunity to advance one’s education
to European and American standards. We have already collaborated for
several years with schools in Bangkok and Pata. Our students have the
opportunity to continue to receive a European-standard education,"
stated Hayk Harutyunyan, director and founder of the Armenian branch
of the "Regent" school.

In cooperation with the "Regent" school, the Armenian education
ministry runs the "Senior School" education program, in which seven
to sixteen year-olds can receive two years of study, while sixteen
to eighteen year-olds, four years of study. The school’s operations
are funded by the main branch in Thailand.

Harutyunyan says that the school’s founding director, Hira Chai,
has signed an agreement with the Armenian education ministry,
according to which Armenian students have the right to study in the
two Thailand schools. "There is no limit to the number of students,
for example, two years ago seven students took part in the program,
while last year the number grew to seven," Harutyunyan stated.

Entry into the school requires passing examinations in English and
mathematics. The first stage of the examination takes place in Armenia,
but after that in Thailand. In the school director’s words, evaluations
are according to European standards, in a percentage system. An
interview is part of the second stage; it is conducted by Hira Chai.

Harutyunyan noted that tuition for the school is 20 thousand American
dollars, but that "students have the opportunity of obtaining a
discount of 50, 75, or 90 per cent."

In any event, our schools will soon include the elementary, middle,
and upper age system, but as to when the doors to Europe will open
from here is a big question.