Distance learning platform launched for Armenian schools  

Considering the epidemiological situation linked to the novel Chinese coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport has come up with the initiative to launch a distance learning platform for students and teachers of secondary school to ensure an uninterrupted educational process under conditions of the government-imposed state of emergency.

The online resource, elaborated by the National Center for Educational Technologies, is available at heravar.armedu.am.

To discuss the efficient organization of distance learning, Deputy Minister Zhanna Andreasyan on Tuesday convened a working meeting attended by ministry officials responsible for secondary education, as well as representatives of educational institutions and platforms experienced in online learning.

According the an official press release summing up the meeting, Andreasyan stressed the importance of combining traditional methods of education with alternative resources to ensure proper planning activities. The Ministry has this year launched a pilot program of distance learning in two secondary schools with a far-reaching objective to involve all the schools in the process.  

"We have considerable Armenian language online resources and tools to organize distance learning. There are schools with the best practice, whom we have asked them to share their success stories, as well as combine the potential in the sector to ensure the effective organization of distance learning, making it open and accessible to all," Andreasyan said.

The joint platform will feature the profiles of all the organizations which will be willing to collaborate with the Ministry to contribute their resources and skills.

It will also provide access to internet safety kits for parents and children. The online manuals can be downloaded from the Ministry's website

The center also has a rapid reaction group which can be contacted by  E-mail (heravar@ktak.am) or telephone (010/ 011/ 578455, 010/ 011/ 578453).

Also the data of mentor-instructors trained in the IT sector will be provided to schools to ensure a proper technical assistance and guidance.