EU PROVIDES 15MLN EURO SUPPORT TO ARMENIA SPECIALIZED SECONDARY SCHOOLS
ARKA
March 25, 2008
YEREVAN, March 25. /ARKA/. The European Union provides 15mln Euro
worth support to Armenia under "New European Neighborhood" for a
program of reforms in specialized secondary education.
The program is to be implemented in 2008-2010, the Head of Department
for Primary and Specialized Secondary Education Artak Aghbalian
told journalists.
Aghbalian said that the funds will be directed mainly at establishing
multifunctional educational institutions in professional education
system, as well as providing material and methodical basis.
The main aim of the program is to harmonize the quality of the
professional education system with the market requirements, he said.
He reported that 12 specialized secondary schools (one in each regions
of Armenia and one in Yerevan), as well as one vocational school in
Aragatsotn region were picked up to receive a status of merit centers.
Capital overhaul works are to be carried out and up-to-date logistics
are to be provided in 12 specialized schools that are to become
competitive in the market. The government has already appropriated
810mln Drams for repair works, Aghbalian said. Training of teachers
and directors of the schools is to be implemented within the program.
Aghbalian also reported that the funds are to be allocated by parts
supervised by the respective EU organizations.
According to the Ministry of Science and Education, 80 state-funded
and about 30 private specialized secondary schools operate in the
country in 2008. 28 primary (vocational) educational institutions
are registered on 25 specialties. ($1=308.77Drams).