Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the event dedicated to the centenary of the foundation of the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan at the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Vahram Dumanyan, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan, Deputy Minister of Education Zhanna Andreasyan, Rector of Pedagogical University Srbuhi Gevorgyan, MPs, ambassadors accredited in Armenia were also present at the event.
In his speech, Prime Minister Pashinyan congratulated everyone on the occasion of the centenary of the Pedagogical University and emphasized that this is a very important anniversary. "This anniversary is also an important point for us, when we must state without any exaggeration that the profession of a pedagogue, and therefore also pedagogical education, is of strategic importance for us, because pedagogical education, after all is education about the methods, forms and today already technologies of giving education.
Let's go back to the times when the university was founded. It was a time when in Armenia, as well as in many countries, institutions called "Lykbez" were created. They were meant to make people literate, because illiteracy was unfortunately a widespread phenomenon, both in many countries of that time and in Armenia.
However, we record woth regret that in the period when we mark the 100th anniversary of Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan, we still face the same or similar challenges, when research shows that in Armenia, for example, a very large percentage of children under 10 years old have functional illiteracy. This is a matter of national security, without exaggeration.
And today we are faced with the inevitability of steps to solve this problem. That is the reason why large-scale and deep reforms have been undertaken in the field of public education. The cornerstone meaning of those reforms is to emphasize the cornerstone and strategic importance of education, general education, preschool education. But it is important to emphasize that without a professional teacher, without a professional teaching staff, it will not be possible to solve this problem. And therefore, the further development of pedagogical education has a cornerstone significance for us.
And today we are faced with the inevitability of taking steps to solve this problem. That is the reason why large-scale and deep reforms have been undertaken in the field of public education. The key point of those reforms is to emphasize the crucial and strategic importance of education, general education, preschool education. But it is also important to emphasize that without a professional teacher, without a professional teaching staff, it will not be possible to solve this problem. And therefore, the further development of pedagogical education is of crucial importance for us.
Today, on the occasion of this anniversary, I am glad to have the opportunity to announce that we are living in a time where teachers' salaries are doubling and tripling. And I am happy to record that this process will be continuous. And as I have had the opportunity to say, yes, today we create an opportunity for teachers to receive a salary of 400,000 drams, but that is only the beginning. In the Republic of Armenia, a teacher should receive a salary of 800,000, 1,000,000, 1,200,000 AMD. The same is for professors that prepare teachers, because their responsibility is greater, the outcome of their work is more essential for the successful formulation and conclusion of the process I mentioned.
But we do this process not only for working teachers, but also for graduates of schools, so that they know that the job of a teacher, the teacher's profession is important and considered strategic at the highest state level, and a concrete, practical implementation of what I am saying is taking place in our days.
Dear professors, managing staff, students, graduates of Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan,
Let me once again congratulate all of us on the occasion of this important anniversary and record that the 100th anniversary is a good occasion to summarize the work done, but an even better occasion to plan the future. And the future that we will plan and implement in the field of pedagogic education, will become a reality after some time.
I am sure that we will be able to plan today the future of free, happy and safe Armenia today and realize it tomorrow, and that future should be shaped in the field of pedagogy, pedagogical education, in the university of pedagogical education. I also hope that you will all support the reforms that the government is going to implement.
I thank all of you for the work done and wish you success in the future work”.
Prime Minister Pashinyan awarded a group of the university teachers with state awards and medals.
