From Armenia in brief: Students prepare for new school year

Published: Saturday August 30, 2008

Students prepare for the first day of school. Photolure

There are about 200 schools in Yerevan and they are all preparing for the first day of school, September 1. According to Kamo Areyan, deputy mayor of Yerevan, this year 8,314 children will be admitted to the first grade in Yerevan alone; 33,500 across the country.

According to the deputy mayor, this year the Ministry of Education is launching a new school program, which was approved by the government. All schools are to be provided with computers. Presently 189 schools in Yerevan have 1,800 computers with Internet connectivity. The number of educational institutions that offer inclusive education will rise to 21 from the current 12 to register 247 children with special needs.

The city has also instructed gas, water, and electric companies to ensure that all repairs on schools are completed by September 1. Extra traffic police will also be assigned from September 1 to 10 to ensure the safety of children primarily at major intersections and crossings.