At the October 19 sitting of the NA Standing Committee on Science, Education and Youth Affairs the government submitted bill “On Pre-School Education” in the second reading.

Sergo Yeritzyan, RA Minister of Education and Science informed that as a result of long-lasting discussion, taking into account the committee’s proposals the bill has been improved. One of the main problems referred to the education of 5 and 6 year-old children: it was decided to begin the main education from 6 years, i.e. 6 year-old children will go to the first class. 5 year-old children will pass 3-month courses with address purposeful program at pre-school educational institution.

Ruben Hovsepyan, the Committee Deputy Chairman and Mkrtich Minasyan, committee member expressed their concern that for 5 year-old children the envisaged courses will not be of universal, compulsory character, which will cause unequal situation for the schoolchildren, the program won’t be fulfilled especially in 300 communities being out of Yerevan, which don’t have kindergartens.

Mr. Yeritzyan noticed that the submitted draft law gives opportunity for compulsory education, and the partial solution of the problem is conditioned by the lack of the financial allocations. He expressed a hope that soon in case of state financing the problem will be positively solved.

MP Mkrtich Minasyan proposed to fill the gap during the transition period by organizing TV educational program for 5 year-old children, which the Minister considered acceptable and ensured that he’ll discuss that matter with the heads of the public television.