Wednesday, 1 September 2010
A competitive State is born at school
At the preceding Cabinet session, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan told the ministers and the heads of government agencies to comply with the established tradition by visiting schools on September 1 in order to extend congratulations to teachers and schoolchildren on the startup of the new academic year in the Republic of Armenia.
Accompanied by Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, the head of government visited Yerevan’s secondary school N29 after Andranik Margaryan and congratulated the teachers and schoolchildren on Knowledge and Schooling Day:
“On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, I congratulate all of us on September 1.
This is a symbolic date since it ushers in a new start for thousands of households. Many children and teenagers go to school and other educational establishments for the first time, and universities resume activities in the Republic of Armenia.
Everybody breaks fresh ground cherishing new hopes and expectations in search of a better future. We should create such an environment as would provide you with the joy of going to school every day, especially as I feel that the school after Andranik Margaryan has a mission to that effect. We remember Andranik Margaryan as a statesman and a political figure who was fond of his homeland and used to appreciate knowledge and schooling. Knowledge Day has another meaning, too, as we pay tribute to our teachers who are the carriers of knowledge. Also, symbolic is that Armenian teachers are giving a solemn oath for the first time this year. I wish you every success so that the beginning of term might bring good luck and happiness to every household.
Once again, I congratulate all of us on Knowledge and Schooling Day.”
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For the first time, Armenian teachers took a solemn oath this year. Tigran Sargsyan attended the solemn oath-taking ceremony in the school named after Andranik Margaryan of blessed memory.
The head of government was briefed on the problems faced in the school. Accompanied by a number of officials in charge of education, the Prime Minister walked round the school building, was shown over the classrooms and the gym hall while talking to schoolchildren and parents.
During a briefing that followed the tour, Tigran Sargsyan told the journalists his impressions: “There was quite a different vision of the world as we used to be at school. I think that the tasks set before the schools are positively different today. We should try to develop independent-thinking skills in our schoolchildren.” Concerning the bottlenecks, the Prime Minister noticed: “Even a first glance can reveal that the school badly needs capital repairs.”
The school is keen on equipping the computer classes and adding new books to the library. This is just what the Ministry of Education and Science has been assigned as a primary task for this year. “Sizeable resources were envisaged under a World Bank-supported program to help high schools to equip computer classes and replenish the library stock.” Tigran Sargsyan was questioned on school-day recollections and his classmates. The Prime Minister answered as follows: “It is not a secret that the modern world is based on knowledge and intellect competition. Schools are called to teach that pupils will not be competitive unless they get good knowledge and learning. We must instill this idea from the very school days if we are to become a competitive State. A competitive State is born at school.”
In conclusion of his visit, Tigran Sargsyan was questioned by schoolchildren’s parents. Giving them exhaustive answers, the Prime Minister wished them good luck and every happiness.
