Interest in secondary vocational education is growing in Armenia

ArmInfo. Ahead of the start of the new academic year, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia Araksiya Svadjyan met with directors of vocational educational institutions to discuss issues related to the organization of the educational process, as well as implemented and planned changes in the vocational education sector. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

The Deputy Minister presented preliminary results of admission to vocational educational institutions. According to her, while approximately 11,000 students were admitted to the system in the 2021-2022 academic year, this year's preliminary figure is 16,738. Thus, the number of admissions has increased by approximately 45 percent over the past five years, proving that state policy has contributed to the sector's increased attractiveness. Analysis shows that every third primary school graduate continues his education in a vocational school. In this regard, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of professional orientation for students starting in 8th grade, as well as the active role of colleges.

Araksiya Svadzhyan drew the attention of college directors to the possibility of developing non-formal education programs. Under the social credit system, citizens have the opportunity to receive an income tax refund of up to 100,000 drams per year for participation in educational programs. Currently, the number of guaranteed programs has reached 2,099, of which 1,244 were guaranteed only in 2026. However, most of the programs are offered by the private sector, and college participation is still limited. The Deputy Minister proposed that colleges... Consider this opportunity as a tool for attracting extra-budgetary funds by developing training programs for which institutions have the professional and material resources.

Regarding the professional development of teachers, Araksiya Svadzhyan noted that 276 specialists passed certification in 2024, and 181 in 2025. Certification is preceded by training, and approximately 90 percent of potential participants successfully complete it. In the event of a positive outcome, the salary rate increases to 200,000 drams, to which a 30-50 percent bonus is also applied depending on the score scored. This year, new areas were added to the certification program, including vehicle operation and repair, transportation organization and management, winemaking, the dairy industry, electric power engineering, and others. 174 teachers of general education subjects in universities have passed voluntary certification and are receiving increased salaries. The Deputy Minister called on directors to encourage the participation of other teachers in voluntary certification. According to the Deputy Minister, one of the important conditions for high-quality vocational education is the availability of modern infrastructure and material and technical base. The new government program provides for the construction, reconstruction and renovation of 30 colleges, which will be fully equipped with new real estate and a modern material and technical base. Araksya Svadjyan also touched upon the topic of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-17), scheduled for the last two weeks of October, within the framework of which Armenia plans to host about several thousand delegates. During this period, classes will not be held in Yerevan schools and colleges, but the planned educational process must be supplemented and properly organized.