Armenian government to close children's homes and boarding schools
31.10.2019,
16:58
The Armenian government decided today to close a number of children's homes and boarding schools.
YEREVAN, October 31. /ARКА/. The Armenian government decided today to close a number of children's homes and boarding schools. The decision comes into force on December 1, 2019, however, the institutions will be closed in stages.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zaruhi Batoyan said the decision aims to protect the rights of the child, the implementation of their right to live in the family, as well as to help develop alternative ways of caring for children who appear in difficult situations.
According to the minister, in June , 2019, there were 260 children in these institutions, whose number dropped due to the fact that some of them were taken back by their biological families. As of October 28, there were 130 children in these institutions, according to the minister.
She said this year an assessment of the needs of children and their families was made, which is used as a basis for the development of an individual assistance program. According to her, all children continue to receive social support, including the necessary material and technical assistance, such as school uniforms, stationeries and winter clothes.
She said some parents are also included in the program. Thus, 16 families are participating in economic development programs.
She said the draft budget for 2020 almost triples the funds for day care centers, and also triples the measures to prevent children from being sent to the children's homes.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said : “The situation with how many children from boarding schools went to universities, how many made their careers is just shameful, therefore, we will consistently promote reforms with the only goal - to increase the competitiveness of these children in life and their self-confidence, help them gain knowledge and skills for life. Thus, we will increase the productivity of using state funds, as well as return the children to their families," said Pashinyan.
"We will not create an ideal system, but we will not put up with disappointment. Nobody will stop us on this path, since we have received a mandate for the development of the country, and we will shake off everyone who will prevent us from moving forward," said Pashinyan. --0—
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Zaruhi Batoyan said the decision aims to protect the rights of the child, the implementation of their right to live in the family, as well as to help develop alternative ways of caring for children who appear in difficult situations.
According to the minister, in June , 2019, there were 260 children in these institutions, whose number dropped due to the fact that some of them were taken back by their biological families. As of October 28, there were 130 children in these institutions, according to the minister.
She said this year an assessment of the needs of children and their families was made, which is used as a basis for the development of an individual assistance program. According to her, all children continue to receive social support, including the necessary material and technical assistance, such as school uniforms, stationeries and winter clothes.
She said some parents are also included in the program. Thus, 16 families are participating in economic development programs.
She said after the closure of these institutions, the funds earmarked for them will be used to expand the network of day care centers in Yerevan and the regions, creating crisis assistance centers in Yerevan, Kapan and Gyumri, increasing the number of guardianship families, providing material assistance to families, as well as taking preventive measures so that children don’t end up in children's homes.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said : “The situation with how many children from boarding schools went to universities, how many made their careers is just shameful, therefore, we will consistently promote reforms with the only goal - to increase the competitiveness of these children in life and their self-confidence, help them gain knowledge and skills for life. Thus, we will increase the productivity of using state funds, as well as return the children to their families," said Pashinyan.
"We will not create an ideal system, but we will not put up with disappointment. Nobody will stop us on this path, since we have received a mandate for the development of the country, and we will shake off everyone who will prevent us from moving forward," said Pashinyan. --0—
