EU provides final €5mln installment for VET in ArmeniaJuly 31, 2013 - 18:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Earlier this month, the European Union provided the final installment of €5 million in support to vocational education and training (VET) in Armenia, as well as a fixed installment of €2 million to support childcare reforms under the EU food security program. Both financial tranches are part of corresponding budget support operations, which were agreed respectively in 2009 and 2010. The overall EU assistance to VET in Armenia amounts to €15 million. The key results of the program are enhanced governance of VET reforms, development of employment strategies, as well as improved conditions and efficiency of VET delivery, leading to improved active employment measures. The program has encouraged cooperation of authorities for a more modern vision regarding VET institutions with updated procedures, curricula and a National Training Fund on a pilot basis. Moreover, 12 VET colleges, mostly in regions, were modernised with enhanced infrastructure, equipment, training of staff, improved planning and budgeting. The impact is tangible – new students and teachers have joined the system, thanks to improving finances and increasing confidence in the future management. Meanwhile, the food security program has focused on child protection and has contributed to a reduction of the number of children in institutions and a decrease in the number of special education institutions. While in 2007 there were around 12,000 institutionalised children, their number decreased drastically to 4,500 as of 2012. The number of special education institutions was decreased from 45 to 23. The support has also led to unified leadership on child protection through the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, and an Action Plan to ensure social protection of children at special educational schools for children with special needs. The role of the National Commission for Child Protection as a coordinating body with substantial advisory and monitoring powers was strengthened through a revised charter. In addition, the professional staff of three specialised orphanages was trained on modern methodology of work with disabled children. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |