23 of 46 schools renovated under ADB programme 

ArmInfo. As part of the program to enhance the seismic safety of schools in Armenia, the restoration and construction of 23 out of 46 planned educational institutions has been completed. This was announced by Gohar Musaelyan, Head of the ADB Program, during a press tour dedicated to the 20th anniversary of cooperation between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Republic of Armenia. She specified that work in the remaining schools is either ongoing or is in the final design stage. 

The Head of the Program also drew attention to the fact that the program includes not only the construction of schools, but also many other components. "It is extremely important for us that the final result is as significant as possible. In this regard, for example, we have provided for a revision of seismic standards, which is also an important step in the development of urban development in Armenia," the Head of the Program explained. In addition, as Musaelyan noted, the requirements for inclusiveness and energy conservation in schools  are being met. "All our schools are adapted for children with  disabilities. In addition, they are equipped with solar panels and  built using energy-saving materials," added the program director.

At the same time, the specialist drew attention to the fact that the ADB does not have significant influence on decision-making, such as procurement and financial regulation. According to her, these processes are fully implemented by the Armenian Territorial Development Fund.

As part of the press tour, the media representatives visited two  schools, the restoration and construction of which was carried out by the Asian Development Bank. During the visit to Abovyan Basic School No. 2, Principal Artur Tashchyan drew attention to the fact that the conditions in the school meet the new standards and requirements of education, and are in harmony with global trends. "Now we have all the conditions to provide high-quality, modern and productive education to our 1,563 students," the school principal emphasized.

Tashchyan said that the school has everything necessary - biology, chemistry and physics laboratories, special rooms for geography and more. According to him, this creates opportunities for the implementation of comprehensive inclusive education. However, the director expressed a desire that the choice of school not only depend on its building, but also be based on its content. "In our school, content and form meet, and we have been preparing for this for these  three years. But the main thing for us is still its internal  content," the director explained.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of instilling national  values in students, drawing attention to the fact that the school  curriculum provides lessons on national dances and songs for this purpose. "We have a new concept of education, which fully complies with both the Law on General Education and the new educational criteria, where the national occupies an important place. And a number of languages studied in our school speak of the importance the school attaches to universal human values," Tashchyan said.

In turn, the director of the secondary school of the village of  Gandzakar, Anush Mehrabyan, reported that the construction of their school lasted 3 years and 6 months, and after its completion, 467 students and 67 teachers moved to the new building. Before that, as the director noted, classes were held in difficult conditions in the village House of Culture.

"Understanding that we can have such a school gave strength to both schoolchildren and parents to wait for its restoration and not transfer to other educational institutions. I would like all schools to have such an opportunity, because the children of our country deserve to study in such conditions," Mehrabyan emphasized.

The program to improve the seismic safety of schools is being  implemented within the framework of a loan agreement signed between the Government of Armenia and the Asian Development Bank. In 2015, the Asian Development Bank provided $88.5 million for the implementation of the project, and in 2023 confirmed additional funding in the amount of $72.3 million. The beneficiaries of the program were 46 Armenian schools, of which 14 are in the capital, and, accordingly, 32 are in the regions of the country. The educational institutions were selected taking into account the year of their construction, the level of seismic safety and technical condition. The seismic resistance of the schools is designed for 9-point earthquakes.