ARMENIA’S GOVERNMENT APPROVES STRATEGIC PROGRAM OF PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION REFORMS FOR 2008-2015

ARKA
March 14, 2008

YEREVAN, March 14. /ARKA/. Armenia’s Government approved the strategic
program of pre-school education reforms for 2008-2015.

The main objective of the program is to improve quality and
accessibility of services in pre-school education, said Levon
Mkrtchian, Armenia’s Minister of Science and Education.

Special focus will be placed on involving children from poor families
in the program, the Minister said.

Mkrtchian pointed out that importance will be attached not only to
development and application of special methodologies of teaching
5-6-year children, but also to rehabilitation of outdated logistics.

Emphasis in educational programs will be put on preparation of children
of senior pre-school age to turn to the secondary education system,
the Minister said. He pointed out that the program will be funded from
three main sources – international financing, community appropriations
for pre-school establishments and support from state budget.

According to Armenia’s Science and Education Ministry, 47,308
children (21.6% of all children of pre-school age) were attending
623 kindergartens functioning in Armenia in 2006, including 395 urban
kindergartens and 228 rural kindergartens.

38454 children attended urban and 8854 rural kindergartens in
2006.