Davit Bek School is Set to Close: What are the Remarks of MP Davit Danielyan on this Matter?
The school in the village of Davit Bek, Syunik Province, may be closed as part of the educational system optimization program. The government plans to merge the schools of several villages and centralize them in a new, modern school being built in Artsvanik. Although the program is presented as a step towards improving the quality of education, it has caused concern among the residents of Davit Bek. Many residents fear that its closure will lead to an outflow of the population. Member of Parliament from the “Civil Contract” Party, Davit Danielyan, spoke with Amnews regarding his observations on the issue.
At what stage is the government’s decision, according to which the Davit Bek school will be closed and the children studying there will continue their education in Artsvanik? Is the decision final, or are discussions still ongoing?
First, you know that the model is as follows: schools in several villages with few students will be closed. The educational process will be centralized in one village, in a newly constructed school, which will have modern conditions, data corresponding to the 21st-century educational sector, and technical equipment. Children from the other villages who attend this school will be transported by special, modern, electric minibusses, which will also be equipped with all comfortable conditions.
Currently, the school in Artsvanik village is in the construction phase, and, if I am not mistaken, it will be completed by June 2026, but at this moment, children in both Artsvanik and Davit Bek are normally attending their old schools.
What justifications have been presented for relocating the building? In your opinion, are those reasons sufficient for the necessity of that step?
The logic behind the general content and idea of how the schools will be managed and how children from neighboring villages will attend the centralized, yet modern school is understandable to me. However, I think there are cases that need additional review. Therefore, I recently raised a question regarding the village of Davit Bek specifically. Here, I also highlight the fact that the Kajaran Copper-Molybdenum Combine provides compensation of forty thousand drams to the residents of Artsvanik settlement. And not only to Artsvanik but also to the residents of settlements neighboring the tailing dump. I see a risk there too, that a Davit Bek resident might decide to move to Artsvanik village to live, and why not, also benefit from that 40,000 drams.
You mentioned that the building of the Davit Bek school could continue to operate with light renovations. What problems does the building currently have?
The building is in medium condition, but as a result of renovation with significantly less money compared to the capital construction of the new school, it is possible to operate the building, if not as a school, then at least as a structure providing other educational services.
Is the opinion of Davit Bek residents being taken into account? What are the sentiments in the village regarding this matter, especially since the new school is being built near the Artsvanik tailing dump, which could be harmful to children’s health?
I have repeatedly received alarms and requests from Davit Bek residents to raise the issue. This is not the first time I have raised this issue; it is the first time I am raising it with the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (ESCS) and live on air. But I have raised this issue with various agencies, including the former Ministry of Territorial Administration and the Territorial Development Fund (through which the schools are being built). Naturally, this issue exists among the village residents and is on the agenda.