Education is for everyone; convicts can now receive secondary education due to state support

The start of this academic year in the penitentiary system is special in that, from this point forth, through state support, convicts over the age of 19 will be able to receive secondary education, which is an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of the system. Through state assistance, the convicts will undergo a condensed and individual educational programme, by preparing for the exams required to obtain a certificate of secondary education.

Deputy Minister of Justice Arpine Sargsyan, accompanied by Head of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice, Major-General of Justice Sergey Atomyan, visited “Armavir” Penitentiary Institution to become familiar with the learning process on the spot.

Deputy Minister Sargsyan participated in the process of implementation of general education for persons over the age of 19, talked to the convicts and the teaching staff.

Sargsyan congratulated the participants of the learning process on the start of the academic year and stated that, from this point forth, through the efforts of the Ministry of Justice, education will be available for convicts who have not received secondary education for various reasons.

“Education is the foundation for both self-development, transformation and work with a specialisation that is in demand in the labour market. Such state support is truly an unprecedented opportunity for every one of you, and it is definitely necessary to take advantage of this opportunity. There is no such opportunity in even numerous progressive countries; thus, you need to continue to be educated with motivation and fill your daily life with helpful occupation through the assistance of our teaching staff,” Sargsyan noted.

She urged the convicts to also motivate other convicts with their example, to not lose hope due to the various difficulties that there may be during the learning process and to voice the needs which will allow to change the methods for organising education according to necessity, and to increase the stock of knowledge.

Deputy Minister Sargsyan also toured the premises of the Institution, talked to the convicts, become familiar with the activities for introducing the air conditioning system at the Institution which, according to initial planning, will be completed by the end of the year.

Representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the management staff of the Penitentiary Service, acting Director of “Centre for the implementation of legal education and rehabilitation programmes” SNCO Dzonik Margaryan and the employees also participated in the visit.