On 10 March, the RA Government programme “Survey on Soldiers’ Educational Needs Assessment and Implementation of Educational Programmes at RA AF Military Units” was
officially opened.
The postgraduate and the PhD students, together with the lecturers of the Pedagogical University came to the Nubarashen military unit to have the first lesson.
The first lessons on the schedule were Armenian Language and Literature. The Dean of the Philological Faculty, Yury Davtyan introduced the 6-months course plan. Later on, they had a question-answer talk about different periods of the Armenian Literature. The students were happy to recite the poem by Yeghishe Charents “Of My Motherland Armenia”.
According the educational plan, the next lesson was English Language. Although a number of soldiers hadn’t confirmed their educational needs, the Head of Department of Teaching Methods of English, Tigran Miqaelyan announced the first lesson.
Specialist of History Hayk Grigoryan finds it quite interesting that despite the fact that most of the soldiers have higher education degree, they still want to revise what they once learned and to get some more and profound knowledge.
The private soldier Andranik Papoyan has such an immense desire to study, that he has even chosen several subjects at a time.
He observes that the first day left quite a positive opinion; the consecutive days will surely, be of a great interest, too. He also adds that the current programme will give them a good chance to find their role and place in the society upon demobilization; further, he expresses his thankfulness for the great chance given.
The 4th year student of the Philological Faculty Hrant Safaryan is glad to participate in this programme. He is going to teach the soldiers Armenian Language and Literature. He is quite sure about the success of the programme. “It is a great honour for each student to pass their own knowledge to Armenian soldiers. Today, it is absolutely obvious that we deal with soldiers who have high rationality and consciousness. I think we can sow the love of learning through our practical and theoretical work. Thus, if we do not have soldiers with higher university education, we will at least have intelligent and polite citizens, worthy husbands and fathers,” says Hrant Safaryan.
The RA National Assembly Deputy, member of the Governing Council of the Pedagogical University, Anahit Bakhshayn also visited the military unit. From the very beginning the opposition MP expressed great interest in and willingness to cooperate in such an interesting undertaking of the Government. As she considers, the effective organization of the programme is the guarantee of its success. Anahit Bakhshyan then turned to the soldiers with the following words, “Be the initiators, and not mere performers; gain the most of knowledge from the programme, knowledge, that will further help you to have a defined orientation of life upon demobilization.”
It should also be mentioned that this is still a trial programme which aims to research the soldiers during the last months of service, to find out their passions and preferences toward education, their skills and abilities, and their disposition to continue education. The educational part of the programme is coordinated by the Armenian State Pedagogical University.
