YEREVAN, JUNE 20, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Education and Science of Armenia Levon Mkrtchyan and Director of “Save the Children Armenian Representative Office” Arsen Stepanyan signed a cooperation agreement.

Based on the agreement, the sides will cooperate on the provision of the protection of the rights of children, the inclusive education, and inclusiveness in the pre-school education and vocational educational institutions.

“The works towards that direction are underway, and the agreement strengthens the existing works and outlines the further cooperation steps”, “Armenpress” reports, Levon Mkrtchyan said.

He said a number of issues exist in Armenia which need to be solved, that’s why there are great expectations from this organization and other partners. In particular, the Minister emphasized the necessity of kindergarten directors’ training, the increasing of the job quality and the preparation of the children to school in a right way.

The sides expressed their willingness to provide children with access to quality and inclusive education in a safe and healthy environment. Joint projects will be implemented, especially public discussions will be held on the legal acts and projects regulating the educational field, the strategic and conceptual documents, exchange of experience and practical projects aimed at strengthening the abilities will be conducted.

It is expected to organize joint trainings, consultations and research which will contribute to the implementation of educational reforms and the development of inclusive education.

Arsen Stepanyan added that first of all there is a need of perception change: except from well-trained specialists, public opinion is also important.

“Many of our partners carry out works in schools, that’s why we conduct pre-school projects. The change in stereotypes will be a difficult and long-term process, but it is important to have long-term strategy towards that path”, Stepanyan stated.

He said the singing of the agreement demonstrates new level of state-civil society cooperation where the cooperation is being done not within the framework of a project, but within the strategic directions. Stepanyan stressed the importance of better coordination and long-term planning of the working resources.

Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan Levon Mkrtchyan Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan Arsen Stepanyan, Levon Mkrtchyan

Photos by Felix Arustamyan