Wednesday, 5 October 2011
PM Awards Best Teachers
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan attended a teacher day-dated annual awards ceremony at National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater after A. Spendiaryan.
Congratulating the teachers on behalf of his government and himself, the Prime Minister stated in part: “Well above being a professional holiday, this is a national holiday as our people have always valued the mission of the teachers. Our teachers have gone a long way toward building a sovereign statehood in Armenia by providing knowledge of mother tongue and educating the rising generations. They have instilled such values as have urged us defy challenges on the way to victories and independent nationhood. In this respect, our teachers’ efforts cannot be overestimated.”
According to the Premier, teachers are seen playing an increasingly greater role in modern world: “You are vested with far higher responsibility today as we live in a knowledge-based world. Only those nations with deep respect for knowledge can in triumph in this race, and this mission is carried out by teachers. We cannot defy the challenges faced in the 21st century unless we are backed by our teachers.”
The head of government stressed that teachers’ wages have been increased considerably as compared with other spheres: “Well aware that wages still fall short of what is due to you, we will do everything to comply with your needs and enhance the teacher’s public standing. I feel the State was right to step up wage expenditures. Your well-being will kept high on the government’s welfare agenda,” Tigran Sargsyan said thanking Armenian teachers for dedication and valuable efforts.
On Armenia independence 20th anniversary, the following persons were awarded Anania Shirakatsi and Movses Khorenatsi medals respectively under a presidential decree: senior research worker, professor at the NAS Mechanics Institute Mels Beloubekyan and professor at the Yerevan Komitas Conservatory Shushanik Apoyan.
YSU Literature Department Head, Doctor of Humanities Zhenya Kalantaryan was conferred upon the title of Honorary Scholar of the Republic of Armenia. A number of school teachers were promoted to the rank of Honorary Teacher of the Republic of Armenia.
For significant contribution to the sphere of education, the following persons were awarded Prime Minister’s commemorative medals: Norabak village school manager Zhirayr Mkertchyan, history teacher at the Holy See’s Eurnekyan general school Gyulnara Sargsyan, manager of Armavir marz N1 high school after R. Yeghoyan Simizar Yeghiazaryan. Over a dozen others were handed the Premiers appreciation letters.
The following were recognized best secondary and nursery school teachers: chemistry teacher at the Vanadzor special school of mathematics and natural sciences Naira Haroutunyan and Yerevan N25 kindergarten teacher Narine Sahakyan. The Premier himself handed in the keys from Chevrolet Aveo motorcars. Winner of the year’s best school manager nomination Stepanavan high school director Seda Tounyan was handed a PC kit.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan, MPs, marz governors, public officials, representatives of civil society and international organizations, teachers, scholars and many others.
