Yerevan/Mediamax/. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has stated today that the amendments proposed in the bill on higher education and science are important, fundamental changes.

“Why do we need this bill and these changes? Firstly, it is because we have serious issues in our education system. We have to admit that it does not secure development of Armenia or realize the goals and ambitions of our country and nation. 

Therefore, the government will make resolute, fundamental, consistent changes. And I would like to repeat that in this matter too no one can hold the government and the people of Armenia by their ankles and drag them into the swamp to keep there,” said Pashinyan.

He highlighted the importance of organizing a professional discussion for the parties involved.

“Communication, dialogue should play a key role in this process, so it is a priority for the government as well, because I am certain that any reform and the success of a reform program depend also on how much ownership the majority of the people involved feel towards the changes. 

Our task is to highlight the range of people who see the reforms as their own,” added the Prime Minister.

Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan said that the bill plans integration of higher education and academic systems, shift towards a one-stage system of academic degrees, full implementation of three-stage higher education system, replacement of the “full-time tuition and correspondence course” model with “full or partial engagement” system, teaching of curriculum or individual courses in foreign languages, new regulations for admission into universities, and de-politicization of management of higher education institutions.