On the occasion of Knowledge and Education Day, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the newly built school named after Tigran Mets in Ptghunk settlement of the Armavir region and primary school No. 18 named after Muratsan in Yerevan this morning.
The school of Ptghunk settlement of the Armavir region was built within the framework of the Government’s 300 schools and 500 kindergartens program. The Prime Minister was present at the event, dedicated to debuting first graders, to congratulate everyone on the Day of Knowledge and Education.
In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan noted that this was his third visit to Ptghunk secondary school. “For the first time, we were probably returning from another business visit when we learned that a group of residents of Ptghunk had something significant to say. Although it was late, we decided to stop, and the residents asked, they said We want to show you our school. We came here, and of course, the scene was harrowing, to be honest. Of course, I couldn’t say anything other than that we will build the school. After that, there was a government decision, and Ptghunki School was included in our plans, after which a project was ordered. If I’m correct, I also visited the construction site last year to see how the works were going. And today, behold, we are here for the opening of the school, which is a significant event.
It was mentioned here that this is a historical event, which, of course, is in this context, but I would like the opening of schools to become an everyday event for us because history has yet to be created inside this school. This is just a job; this is just a duty, a minimum duty by the Government, by the governor’s office, and by local self-government bodies.
I want the opening of the school for us, these solemn events, where high-ranking officials are present, not to be a historical event, and it will not be a historical event. The historical event will begin after we leave here when our children and teachers begin their story, and it will not end in school. On the contrary, I want us to reformulate our attitude towards school. I want all of us to perceive the school as a runway, as a springboard, after which the flight of these children will begin, the soaring of these children, and they must be able to fly over their dreams. This is the message that I want to convey today.
It was also very nice that the children’s performance was called “The School Road” because I remember saying that school is not the only part of the school project. It is essential which way the children will come. And I want, when they show up for the opening of the school doors, like the children, to come here on a well-maintained, marked path because this is the state’s attitude towards children citizens.
Of course, we have yet to get in. I hope we won’t notice any observable defects inside, but up to now, I see that the assignment has been done precisely. Nikol Pashinyan thanked the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Regional Development Fund, and the builders for the work done.
“Dear children, dear director, dear teachers, this space will be handed over to you. This is just a technical phase; the substantive step starts today. The next time we come here, we will see a living space that shapes children’s thinking and development and reveals their talent, which will be well-groomed, covered with flowers, and cared for. I want children to change their attitude towards school. That process is going on in Armenia: at one time, the school was a place from which children rushed home. Now, we must do everything to make the school a place where children want to go to bed early, wake up early, and go to school. Of course, the building is significant, but the building was never the goal and is not the goal. The building is a way to give children an opportunity to create their own success story and, through their own success story, the success story of their Motherland, their country.
Dear children,
I congratulate you on September 1; I commend you on commissioning the school building and welcome home. I want you to live and make this house shine with happiness,” said the Prime Minister.
Touring the newly built school, the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the conditions. According to the representatives, the design works of the school started in March 2019, and the construction works began in September 2020 and ended in December 2022. The construction works were carried out with funds from the Asian Development Bank. In general, more than 1 billion drams were allocated for the construction of the school. In addition to the structure, the school was also equipped with new property, for which 14 million 238 thousand drams were allocated from the RA state budget. Building conditions meet modern educational requirements. The school also has a landscaped yard area. 118 students will study at the school in the new academic year.
The Prime Minister toured the school, which was thoroughly repaired and reconstructed within the framework of the school seismic safety improvement project, and familiarized himself with the created conditions. Those in charge presented that the area of the former building built in 1932 was 2,881.2 square meters; the electric power station of the Shengavit administrative district was located inside the building, endangering the environment of the school. Before the reconstruction, the school had 383 students. The area of the reconstructed building is 3800 square meters. It is entirely built with reinforced concrete structural solutions. The seismic strength of the building is calculated for a 9-point earthquake. During the reconstruction, the front wall of the former building, which has historical and cultural value, was preserved. The reconstructed school has two gymnasiums, a shooting range, a kitchen, a canteen, and a banquet hall, and the accessibility of the building is ensured in terms of providing an inclusive, adapted environment. The school has a solar plant, heating systems, video surveillance devices, security equipment, ventilation, and hot and cold water supply systems. The school is designed for 430 students.
