Student councils give bad grades to schools on educational opportunities

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When Student Councils in northeast Armenia were tasked to grade the educational opportunities in schools in ten communities recently, the overwhelming consensus on the schools' performance was 'poor'. The 'Children well-being in communities' survey competition saw nine student councils from community schools conduct a series of surveys to assess the schools' performance related to the quality of education and the key challenges that each school faces. Students were guided by the provisions and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with an objective to protect their right to receive quality education and opportunities to reach their full developing potential in rural schools. Subsequently, the student councils made presentations to school authorities and students in Lori region and they were also tasked to judge each presentation. While talking to their peers about school issues, students received first-hand answers to their questions. 'Each student council visited its neighbouring community school to conduct a survey. While talking to peers about school issues, we were able to receive honest answers to every pronounced question', explained 15-year-old Lilit Petrosyan from Akori community. 'The main problems in Kachachkut community school, I was in, resembled the same issues we face in Akori school. Those are, bad sanitation, lack of books in the school library, dreadful conditions of the gym. Also, children with special needs do not attend Kachachkut community school as there is neither a ramp, nor relevant adjustments in the classrooms or toilets for them', added Lilit Petrosyan. 'Our school conditions violate the basic human rights that children everywhere have - the right to develop to the fullest - they hurt our dignity and harmonious development,' said Mariam Karapetyan, Kachachkut community student. The survey-competition helped to develop students' management and leadership skills through participation. The teenagers learnt how to identify school problems, analyse the acquired data and create Powerpoint presentations for a wide audience. Moreover, based on the three main criteria, such as technical competencies, significance of identified cases and suggested solutions to them, as well as pitching style, students themselves evaluated rival presentations. The prize for the winning team was a computer and a printer. 'The winning Akori community student council stood out among others and was given top points by the majority of students. Akhori students also met with Kachachkut community school authorities and talked over every problem in the school that demands a solution', said World Vision Alaverdi Area Development Programme (ADP) Manager Varazdat Sargsyan. Akory is the largest community in Alaverdi ADP area; its only school accommodates some 340 students. While there are 11 computers in the school, the one received as a prize in fair competition will serve for the student council activities. 'World Vision will ensure that all the concerns highlighted by the students are submitted to the region's Child Rights Protection Unit and Regional School Educational Unite and will hold them accountable for the relevant solutions', stated Alaverdi ADP manager Varazdat Sargsyan.