New classrooms open at Vagharshapat’s two preschools

YEREVAN, 10 December - Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Araksia Svajyan and UNICEF Deputy Representative Silvia Mestroni attended the opening ceremony of a renovated classroom at Vagharshapat No. 1 “Hasmik” preschool in Armavir region. As part of the joint initiative, a new classroom was also opened at Vagharshapat No. 8 “Vostan” kindergarten. Partners and children were also joined by Head of Vagharshapat community, Argishti Mekhakyan.

The new classrooms, each accommodating 30 children, were established by UNICEF and Step by Step Foundation in coordination with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the Vagharshapat community administration and with financial support from the Education Cannot Wait foundation.

Welcoming the attendees, Araksia Svajyan highlighted that this initiative is a prime example of successful cooperation between the state, local authorities, and UNICEF to ensure access to education - one of the key priorities of the Government’s 2021–2026 programme. “The Government programme and the State Programme for the Development of Education until 2030 place strong emphasis on expanding early learning for children. Improving preschool institutions and creating new infrastructure aim to enhance the quality of education and increase enrollment, with the ultimate goal of achieving up to 95 percent coverage for children aged 3-6 years by 2030.”

“The newly opened classrooms at Vagharshapat kindergartens #1 and #8 will provide over 60 children with the opportunity to enroll and benefit from early childhood education, while the new sports hall and outdoor playground at #1 will further enhance opportunities for healthy development and play,” noted Silvia Mestroni, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Armenia. “This, together with support to nine other kindergartens, contributes to national plans to expand access to early childhood education, a fundamental initial step in the lives of children.”

As Ms Mestroni explained, together with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, UNICEF has supported 11 kindergartens in Ararat, Kotayk, Vayots Dzor and Armavir marzes to expand classrooms, enabling 350 displaced and host community children to benefit from early learning.

The event concluded with a musical educational programme, “Symphonic Tales,” implemented in partnership with UNICEF and Symphonic DAS-A. The programme is designed to introduce children to classical music during their early years, nurturing cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and creativity, and laying foundation for lifelong learning and holistic growth, and increasing overall psychosocial wellbeing.