Non-formal education - Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum

System in Armenia
Education has always been of utmost importance for human development, economic and social
progress. Currently, the process of economic and social change, not only in Armenia, but the world is
much faster, which is why special importance is given to the opportunities and access for citizens to get
an education and be trained at any age. As a result, a citizen, as a leading society forward power and
a factor of social integration within the country and in the international community, must be required
periodic acquisition and improvement of modern labor skills and core abilities, the range is constantly
expanding.
With formal education community can provide its citizens forming a part of them, which is obviously
not enough for the harmonious development of the personality and competitiveness in the labor
market. Institutions of civil society (social, socio-political organizations and associations, international
organizations, etc.) are trying to fill gaps in the system of formal education.
The main objective of the strategy in the field of complementary and extended education is the
definition of basic principles of fairness of permanent education for all in Armenia and mechanisms
for organizing, implementing, managing, financing and quality assurance that will be the basis of legal
regulation and implementation.
In this case, the basic laws in RA are the following regulations: 1. RA legislation in the field of
education; 2. “The strategy of the initial (vocational) and secondary education and training in the
Republic of Armenia”, approved by the government in 2004; 3. “The strategy and the concept of adult
education”, approved by the government in 2005; 4. “The concept of non-formal education in the
Republic of Armenia”, approved by the government in 2006; 5. “The concept of lifelong learning in the
Republic of Armenia”, approved by the government in 2009; 6. The “National Report on the additional
and continuous education in the Republic of Armenia” (2011); 7.The conclusions of the Lisbon and
Stockholm communiqué (Lisbon and Stockholm Communications, March, 2000); 8.Memorandum of
continuous training (A Memorandum on Lifelong Learning, Commission Staff Working Paper, Brussels,
30.10.2000).
Approved by the Government of the RA concept of non-formal education clarifies the basic concepts
and features of non-formal education. In particular, the statement of the Government of the Republic
of Armenia meeting N 50, dated December 14, 2006 to approve the concept of non-formal education
in RA in general is a guiding document officially recognizing and defining the guidelines for the further
development of non-formal education in the Republic of Armenia.
The provisions consistent with the concept of sustainable development were also enshrined in
the “National Report on the progress on the Millennium Development Goals in Armenia,” which says,
“The right to education is a basic human right, which is aimed at strengthening the human capital and
development capabilities. In this regard, Armenia has a human resource possessing quality education.
According to the National Statistical Service of RA (NSS), illiterates with primary and incomplete primary
education make 3.1% of the total population, and about 30% in the age group over 10 years old have
a vocational degree of education. Adult and youth literacy makes 99% and thus a significant gender
difference was not observed. “
The education system in Armenia includes a set of pre-school stage, secondary, higher and
postgraduate education, where education is carried out in accordance with the ideology of the “Education
for sustainable development.”
According to the NSS, 10,344 employees, of whom 68.7% – women are involved in post-graduate
education in Armenia. 1232 students study in the post-graduate course, 38.7% of whom are women.
The number of students in doctoral programs is 57, 28% of which are women.
In 2004, a law “On Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education”was passed. This law defines
the principles of higher and postgraduate education in the special educational system in Armenia, the
rights, duties and responsibilities of individuals and entities, and their relationships.
This law contains the following principles of higher education: access to education in accordance
with the capacity, competitiveness, transparency, publicity, etc. This law also defines freedoms of the
academic personnel and research staff and students in higher education. It is noted in particular that
the students at their discretion, aptitudes and needs can choose a specialty, type of institution, mode
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