1 / 4

On March 20 the National Assembly has hosted the students and professors of Yerevan Legal-Economic and Administration College within the framework of the “Open Lesson” programme. After taking part in the NA sitting they met the NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov and member of the Heritage faction Anahit Bakhshyan.

Highly appreciating the role of the youth in the state building and in the formation of the civil society, the NA Deputy Speaker urged the students to be free and speak about any issue concerning them.

The students did not make waiting: the issues concerning them were many and multi-essential – beginning from educational situation up to citizen’s free expression problems.

In response to the question if the minimum salary is sufficient for living with dignity in Armenia, Eduard Sharmazanov said: “Of course, not, but we should observe that problem in comparison and take account the challenges facing our country. The world economic crisis also gave a blow to our country and slowed down the progress envisaged in a number of spheres. At the same time we should assess at utmost the persistent policy pursued by the authorities in the social sphere, as a result of which, no social programme has been reduced. Naturally, it is still little, and the authorities will do their best in order to create conditions for every citizen to live in dignified manner.

One of the students was interested in the NA Deputy Speaker’s opinion on the ecological movement going on in Mashtots Park.

According to Mr Sharmazanov, we should keep clean Yerevan and treat with care the green areas, but he is against the issue being politicized, as the kiosks are temporarily installed. At the same time he respects those having political positions, and who raise issues demanding solution and promote the progress of the country.

Some of the students were not pleased with the quality of the educational programmes and textbooks being in use.

The NA deputy Anahit Bakhshyan has agreed that in this sphere, certainly, there are things to be done, but at the same time she has ensured that there have been educational reforms, and they are going on today. She has urged the students not to be pleased with the textbooks being proposed and advised for becoming a good specialist also to make use of alternative textbooks, scientific and educational other manuals, which is permitted by the law on Education.

In the course of the meeting issues pertaining to the development of middle specialized education, military service and education in the higher educational institution were also discussed.