School Mergers Threaten Armenian Border Villages, Warns MP Lena Matevosyan

During a recent session in the National Assembly, lawmakers discussed the government's ongoing educational reforms and their consequences for regional communities. MP Lena Matevosyan addressed the school reorganization program, emphasizing its potentially devastating effects on rural areas.

School Optimization and Impending Job Cuts

The lawmaker recalled Government Decision No. 17-90, adopted on September 11, 2023. According to her data, the consolidation plan initially targeted 236 schools, which was later adjusted to 229. This process will heavily impact Armenia's provinces; for instance, 48 institutions have been targeted in both the Syunik and Shirak provinces.

Matevosyan highlighted that these changes could leave over 2000 teachers unemployed. She pointed out that rural parents are not interested in bureaucratic terminology; their only concern is whether their children will still be able to attend a local school.

The Strategic Importance of Border Regions

The politician drew special attention to the vital need to maintain small educational institutions in border villages. Beyond functioning as learning centers, these schools act as community anchors that provide jobs and encourage young families to stay in strategically sensitive rural areas.

"It is very easy to stand at a podium in Yerevan and claim that schools with 50 students are not good schools, but this is a strategic issue," she stated, as quoted by Panorama.am.

Allegations of Political Discrimination

In addition to the issue of school closures, Matevosyan raised concerns regarding growing discrimination based on political affiliation. According to the MP, individuals across various sectors are facing undue pressure simply for not supporting the ruling government. These include:

• University staff members (citing the case of a lecturer with 23 years of experience),
• Cultural figures and artists,
• Athletes.