2022 January 25

Daily news wrap-up

Jan/25/2022: Major education reforms to address the sad reality; $800 wage & curriculum changes __ Artsrun talks 5th gen warfare; New missies for Su-30; Gulf War __ Serj questioned over railway theft case __ Marriages up __ Helicopters __ Turkey to invite Armenians to Van & Kars __ Sarkissian drama
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 16-minute Tuesday digest in 4073 words.

Education reforms discussed in parliament | How bad is it today, and what's the solution?

Deputy Education Minister Joanna Andreasyan: 16%-28% of students lack basic knowledge about decimal fractions and arithmetic operations. 10% scored so low, it was difficult to assess them.

In 2003-2015, 24%-42% of students couldn't pass the lowest threshold in natural sciences. Students don't understand simple concepts such as the flu being a virus, genes transferring from both parents.

... almost half of 9th graders failed Armenian Language & Literature exams

In 2019, around 20% of university applicants didn't pass the minimum threshold in the Armenian Language exam. It was an improvement from 2015's 30%, but still too high.

While the official stats were showing one thing, the international studies were telling a different story. For example, in 2015-16-17 years, according to official data, only a dozen of 33,000 fourth-grade students failed their final exams. This is why we need to reform the assessment system. We need to revoke the dysfunctional failing grade system and focus on working with the student throughout the year, by using various grading methods. The assessment score shouldn't be just a digit that becomes a matter of "life and death" for the student and parent.

In 2017-2018, only 55% of 9th graders were able to pass the minimum threshold for Armenian Language & Literature final exam. The family's social-financial situation has an impact on the child's education. There is a discrepancy between rural and Yerevan students.

... 1/3rd of elementary school graduates cannot read and comprehend basic text

... per 2015 international study on natural sciences & math. This is called functional illiteracy. You know the letters and digits, but you can't use them in practice.

... a good student who graduates 12th grade can realize their potential only at 57% capacity today

We could teach the same materials in 9 years. 3 are gone wasted today.

... where are all the future teachers at?

Pedagogy is not what our students choose these days. Only 7 students are studying to become physics teachers at the Pedagogy University, 3 for chemistry. Of the annual 21,000 graduates, only 500 want to become pedagogues, while over half of our current teachers are above the age of 50 and will need a replacement within a decade.

Every year, 700 teacher positions go vacant. It's difficult to find one even in the cities.

800 of our 1400 schools are the only option in their community. 66% have fewer than 300 students, 32% have under 100. Our schools were designed for 650k students but we have 400k today. Over 1/4th of all schools work only at 25% capacity. The issue of efficiency with maintaining facilities arises.

We're implementing new methods. Underutilized schools will expand their purpose and also play the role of the cultural/leisure/craftsmanship house in their community.

... reform package

The proposed education reforms can address some of the aforementioned problems. There are four main directions:

1) Curriculum changes. The government approved the draft amendment last year, and a new education pilot program began in Tavush. We're trying to transition to an education based on abilities/competence while reevaluating the school's purpose. There will be grading reforms. Schools will be given a certain level of flexibility on pedagogy and creativity policies, to develop their plans and grading approaches. If we want to have creative citizens, the school itself must be creative.

2) Developing teachers' skills and higher salaries. We want to tie the skill to salary. More skill attestation options, including a voluntary one. Instead of mandatory certification every 5 years, it can be required if a need arises. New teachers can be retrained more frequently.

The reform introduces the idea of teachers' professional standards; it clarifies the expectations we have from the teacher. Teachers who go through the attestation must receive a significant raise. If druykachap is currently $224, it has to increase to $415. There is also an opportunity to get another 50% raise after a voluntary certification, which would open another opportunity to get a raise. An $830 salary for a subset of teachers is a realistic goal, according to our calculations.

3) Inclusive education. Major changes here. We are redefining what "special" means. It should not include only children with disabilities. Children from different cultures with foreign languages should receive help. Some personality traits make learning difficult. High-performers who are significantly better than others could need special conditions. School financing rules will change to be more targeted.

4) School management. We believe that expert agencies should handle administrative-economic governance so the school director can focus only on education. [Basically, one specialized agency fixes broken tables in 100 schools, instead of 100 school directors searching for 100 repairmen to fix the tables].

Directors will be appointed. Candidates must submit their school development plan to an expert panel. Existing directors will keep their jobs if their performance has been good. To preserve checks-and-balance, the school council can hold a vote of no confidence against a director.

... Parliament is discussing the education reforms

130 people were invited to the assembly floor. The Parliament had adopted the preliminary bill last month.

QP MP Sisak: there will be massive changes in every area. We decided, joined by our opposition colleagues, to invite guests today to discuss the issues that exist in our schools. //

More: https://youtu.be/Aqm9UwEKYqc https://youtu.be/HAJfJASxmIg https://youtu.be/-lQU9l6igrc https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073911.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073913.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073914.html https://factor.am/467756.html https://youtu.be/rvBqKgAFnps https://youtu.be/8Dc0Lu4S51E

Tags: #EducationReform

interview with military expert Artsrun Hovhannisyan about the history of "5th gen" warfare | Gulf War | Armenian Su-30 jet | Missiles tech | Army training models

Reporter: what's your definition of 5th gen warfare?

Artsrun: It's the one the world lives in and goes through today. I call it ցանցա-հարթակա-կենտրոն warfare. There is no specific definition in the U.S. - the origin country.

After the 1973 war [presumably Yom Kippur] they analyzed it for 8 years and came up with air-land and air-sea doctrines, under Harrold Perry(?) commission, mostly with the efforts of Gen. John Star's(?) modern concepts.

In 1982 they tested it in several locations, with the biggest being in Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. The Lebanese civil war was raging. The Syrian army had entered Lebanon and took control of part of it. Israel entered from the south. Clashes ensued.

Israel began using these new solutions from the U.S. that relied more on very high precision missiles and automated management centers. It allowed them to resolve big problems with small resources, and to conduct the operations faster.

That is how the "5th gen" warfare was "born". It developed in the next 10-20 years. The next major event will be in 1991 during Gulf War and Operation Desert Storm. The use of precision missiles, air force, and faster operations will be more emphasized.

To this day, since WW2, the Gulf War has been the biggest short-term clash between forces in a conventional field, where airforce, navy, infantry, armory, and international allies took part.

It was during the Gulf War when, for the first time, the U.S. increased the share of precision weapons to 8%. In the past, it was under 1%. That's nothing. You have 20,000 bombs being dropped with only 1% being very precise. That's not much. But as it increased to 6-8%, it radically altered the operations.

Reporter: ... so the main targets became strategically and economically important objects?

Artsrun: as a rule of thumb that's how it starts, but it wasn't always the case. This is when the military began re-evaluating what's more important and what's secondary for a strike.

You'd think that the first strike would be on the command centers, electric networks, airport, but the Gulf operation began when Apache helicopters, flying at a low altitude to evade detection, secretly entered Iraq and destroyed a few air-defense units that were covering a narrow window.

Aviation then used the new blind window to enter and strike more global air-defense systems. That, in turn, opened a wider window for other equipment to enter. The longer you stretch, the more you can fit [Aristotle, 800 B.C. probably].

The Gulf War changed a lot in military science, but it didn't happen overnight. The operation was being judged differently at the time. I've read hundreds of books and articles from different countries. Some were acknowledging it as a new approach, while others would dismiss it as "same old".

Reporter: how did Soviet experts describe it?

Artsrun: the most prominent Soviet "mind" can be found in Voyennaya Misl' magazine. Immediately after the Gulf operation, Russian authors flooded magazines with articles. Few were amazed by it and accurately predicted the future.

Sadly and ironically, the vast majority were very arrogant and suggested that Americans could only destroy "banana republics", and that the Gulf operation was nothing serious. Disappointing, because I'd expect such articles from Pravda and not Voyennaya Misl'.

Baghdad's air defense was second after Moscow at the time. The daytime air defense target routes were 1,500 [shooting 1,500 flying objects simultaneously, wtf???]. But Baghdad was broken, with low results. I can't explain why exactly in this interview. There are classes about it, and books, in which I wrote about 6 rules to destroy any air defense. I didn't make them up, I just analyzed the operations from the past 30-40 years. If you can meet those 6 points, it doesn't matter if you're fighting a banana republic or a strong opponent.

Reporter: in your book you talk about the importance of using aviation as an air defense layer, whereas the Armenian public and some in the military appear to focus on land "HOP" stations.

Artsrun: it's a problem with the Soviet military school: "The S-300 will save us". Sadly, people haven't learned this lesson after the 2020 war. They continue to claim aviation is an unnecessary expenditure.

The Soviet Union, during the second half of the 1980s, organized a brilliant defense operation in the North Pole region. The air control points (aka A-50) were controlling several dozen MiG-31s, which in turn were controlling the rest, which in turn were controlling hundreds of Su-27s. The echeloned air defense, in this case, started with MiG-31s, because it would be illogical for [American] B-52 or B-2 to release 86/126-series winged missiles before reaching the Pole, for the missiles to travel 2000km away from you, to wait until the missiles were only 100km away, for your S-300 units to finally act.

Russian pilots were crying because of the disrespectful attitude towards MiG-31 during a 2013 Moskovsky Aviasalon. They couldn't convince others that no S-300 air defense station is good enough to cover the wide North Pole. Is it easier to shoot one jet over the North Pole, or dozens of missiles fired from that jet? And what if your enemy brought dozens of jets?

If Armenians understand this basic concept, they will get out of the mentality of [warshipping] land air defense units.

Reporter: [The Armenian-owned] Su-30 jet was built on the Su-27 platform. Have they proven to be good?

Artsrun: Of crouse. Especially Su-30, which is from the T-10s platform, is the best child to this day. The much-praised Su-35s have to eat a lot of bread and cheese [Armenian pun] to become a Su-30. The Su-35 has childhood problems and illnesses. It takes time, but once you get hold of it, Su-30 has excellent potential.

Very recently Russian state circles announced that Su-57 has fired a Xa-59(?) new generation MK-2(?) air-to-surface missile. This is a missile that we, too, have been waiting for. Sadly it was born too late. This is what we wanted for our Su-30. These last-gen Xa-59 missiles have a depth of 500km, say sources. We'd be okay even if it was 300km.

This missile will change a lot of things. If it's being tested in Syria now, that means it's nearing the state experimental phase. Since Xa-59 was built on an existing platform, it shouldn't take too long.

In the future, there will be a new boom when jets begin releasing two missiles simultaneously: expensive and cheap. They will supplement each other. The expensive one is an aero-ballistic missile with very long range and can beat any air defense. The cheap missile will release many small ones to explode at a certain distance, releasing many tiny UAVs, against which you cannot have an antidote. This system is developing as we speak.

We need more rapid response special units instead of the traditional tank and infantry units. Azerbaijan used the NATO model successfully. Their special units (Russian "CCO") worked closely with the air. We need this in Armenia. The training model must change. You can't rely on shooting motionless pieces of wood anymore. We need the American [MILES model](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_integrated_laser_engagement_system) to simulate actual battles.

>[MILES:] Individual soldiers carry small laser sensors scattered over their bodies, which detect when the soldier has been illuminated by a firearm's laser. Each laser transmitter is set to mimic the effective range of the weapon on which it is used. When a person is "hit", a medic can use the digital readout to determine which first aid method to practice.

https://youtu.be/k8LrejkC0Co?t=1342

Tags: #Artsrun #war

Armenia has purchased "modern multifunctional" helicopters

They can be used for airborne, attack, transport. The delivery ceremony was held in Erebuni airport on Tuesday. It's a vehicle that can transport and kick ass at the same time.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073944.html

ranking officials questioned over the Epstein-ing of Armenia's railway tracks decades ago

The Investigative Committee has invited former president Serj Sargsyan, former Defense and Transport Ministers, former MOD and NSS officials, as part of the investigation of how the Soviet-era Meghri-Kapan railway was decommissioned and sold after the independence.

They are also investigating the involvement of Armenian military units in the deconstruction process. Serj was MOD at the time (2003-2007).

The case was launched in 2017 when the media [reported the theft](https://www.civilnet.am/news/176517/երևան-բաքու-երկաթգծի՝-արաքսի-հատվածը՝-թալանված/). At the time, the prosecutors launched a case after being asked by an opposition official. It appears the case is moving forward now.

Armenia has to spend $200 million to recover this railway section today.

www.civilnet.am/news/647769/սերժ-սարգսյանը-նախկին-նախարարներ-հարցաքննվել-են-մեղրիի-երկաթգծի-հափշտակման-գործով/ www.civilnet.am/news/176517/երևան-բաքու-երկաթգծի՝-արաքսի-հատվածը՝-թալանված/

residents of Artsakh's Karmir Shuka closed the road for Azeri vehicles as sign of protest

It was done to protest the recent ceasefire violations in which shots were fired towards villages. The traffic resumed after negotiations.

https://factor.am/467892.html

VIDEO: Istanbul airport was paralyzed

Heavy snow fell in Istanbul, unprecedented in recent years. The airport was among many things that were paralyzed. Angry passengers held a protest to demand proper shelter after waiting for hours and reportedly being given cardboard beds. Many passengers remained inside the jets.

https://www.duvarenglish.com/stranded-passengers-stage-protest-at-istanbul-airport-we-need-hotel-video-60220 https://factor.am/468036.html

Turkish industry halts production after Iran suspends gas exports

Iran had earlier announced about suspending gas delivery for 10 days. It led to many Turkish factories facing a 40% gas shortage. Eventually, they decided to suspend all operations for 3 days until the delivery is resumed. The dairy and meat products received an exemption to prevent disruptions to the supply chain.

https://factor.am/468015.html

Artsakh is building a strategically important Stepanakert-Chankatagh-Martakert road

It stretches from the capital (center) to Martakert (northeast). The section in the north appears to be in very poor condition today.

All Armenia Fund: some 50km of roads are being rebuilt in Artsakh. Besides the aforementioned highway, new roads will connect nearby communities to the highway. //

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/229967

Union of Advanced Technology Enterprises is expanding its ranks and reach

UATE chief about 2021 stats: 38 new companies joined us recently, bringing the total to 122.

Last year 56 ArMath engineering labs were opened: 52 in Armenia and Artsakh, 4 in Georgia's Javakhq. There are a total of 619 labs, serving 16,000 students.

Hackathon was organized with Yerevan's Goethe Center to improve media literacy and data protection. Armath students also took part.

Hundreds of Armenian representatives participated in DigiTech 2021 expo.

ArmRobotics-2021 competition was held last month to display self-controlled robots.

One Armath lab opened in an air school located in Bangladesh capital Dhaka. There are negotiations to launch labs in Lebanon, Uzbekistan, and Georgia this year.

A UAV engineering workshop opened in Dilijan's Monte Melkonyan military academy last year. 9 more will open soon.

Armath students created and developed the "ProtoLab" technical-engineering lab, the Technology Learning Planet coding school, TakeAR artificial reality startup, and IT's a village online store.

85 soldiers joined high-tech firms as part of From Army to IT program.

We lobbied the government to increase science funding by 83% in 2022. //

Pashinyan-era High-Tech Minister Hayk Chobanyan, a member of the Union, was appointed as union CEO today.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073929.html https://factor.am/467939.html

Erdogan met Petros Şirinoğlu, head of Union of Armenian Foundations

No details.

https://factor.am/468000.html https://twitter.com/tcbestepe/status/1485969155945897993

Turkey wants to turn Kars and Van into a tourist center for Armenians

Turkish government held a meeting to discuss relations with neighbors and other regional countries. Turkey wants to launch direct flights to Armenia, and not just to Yerevan.

They spoke about turning Van into a tourist destination center for Armenians, and recovering historical sites (bridge and a building) in Kars.

They also want to expand trade relations with Armenia "to reduce the pressure from the diaspora"(?).

https://factor.am/467740.html https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/dis-politikada-hedef-sorunsuz-cember-41989501

Artsakh has discovered 200 new churches, cross-stones, and other cultural monuments last year

Lost 2000 in 2020, found 200 in 2021, announced a state-run organization. There is an "Artsakh monuments" Facebook page that shares details. The subscriber count has doubled to 7.5k this year.

They are also active on Twitter, Telega, and [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6w6NAIGGBsemYRHtFmxP8g/videos).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073908.html https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6w6NAIGGBsemYRHtFmxP8g/videos

Opposition accused Pashinyan of intentionally ignoring Armen Sarkissian's citizenship problem since 2018 | Parties don't have a presidential nominee yet

[Read Monday report](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/sbyl40/jan242022_sarkissian_resigned_amid_international/) for possible reasons why Sarkissian resigned and what's next. Prosecutors acknowledged the investigative article written by Hetq media outlet, and asked the NSS to investigate the claim because the report implied that forgery was committed to conceal Sarkissian's foreign citizenship so Serj could appoint him as president in 2018.

Sarkissian responded to Hetq's article and the discussions, calling it a "distraction" from the constitutional and other issues mentioned in his resignation letter.

Sarkissian also dismissed Hetq's claim that he won't return to Armenia out of fear of prosecution. He will return to Armenia after receiving medical treatment abroad.

HD-ARF: Pashinyan knew about Sarkissian's citizenship problems and even mentioned it before 2018, but as Premier, he remained silent [Is this a promo or an attack? Can't tell anymore.]. Pashinyan is a crime accomplice for remaining silent. The full circle must be exposed. We're still discussing the topic of a new president. We will substantiate the criteria and nominate our candidate. The president should be a unifying independent figure. //

QP: We haven't launched discussions about a new president because Sarkissian has 7 days to withdraw his resignation application. We still have a president. //

PU: We haven't decided yet whether to nominate someone. We won't support the ruling party in this process for sure. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073904.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073905.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073907.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073917.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073954.html https://factor.am/467641.html https://factor.am/467921.html

the tiny parasite keeps spreading guys watch out

5.7k tested. 1.3k infected. 155 healed. 4 deaths.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073894.html

free dental services for public workers under "social package"

Last month the government amended the սոցփաթեթ public benefits package to expand the recipients and services. Some therapeutic and surgical dental services are now included: fillings, removal, cleaning (once a year).

This is different from the [Universal Healthcare](https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/s7730u/jan182022_universal_healthcare_details_emerge/) which will include more dental coverage and 90%-95% of other medical treatments.

https://factor.am/467731.html

Healthcare Minister met Iranian ambassador to discuss pharma cooperation

They spoke about developing medical tourism and making Iranian medication more accessible in Armenia. Iran is interested in the Sputnik-Lite manufactured in Armenia.

https://factor.am/468011.html

marriages are increasing in Armenia

marriage/divorce

2018: 14.8k / 3.8k

2019: 15.6k / 3.9k

2020: 12.2k / 3.2k

2021: 15.9k / 4.1k

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/229957

these are the parking fees for Yerevan's "red line" street parking

20c hour

$1 day

$2 week

$4 month

$24 year

Or, you can be an imbecile and pay a $10 fine for not complying.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/229965

you wouldn't download a tomato, would you?

The Lars border checkpoint between Georgia and Russia is closed again. In Nikol's Armenia, it's either going to be SpaceX or BitTorrent that delivers Armenian tomatoes to Russia.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073953.html

anti-corruption: authorities busted a dirty cop at the airport; it led to systemic reforms

ACC and prosecutors report: a traffic police officer committed crimes in Zvartnots airport in January 2021. He pulled over several drivers for traffic violations and intentionally lied about the size of the fine they were facing. To pay "smaller fines", the officer offered the drivers to pay $10-$40 in cash on the spot.

The cop has confessed and returned the bribe. The investigators decided to audit his prior interactions but learned that there were administrative problems with how the documents are kept and shared. Prosecutor's office contacted the police headquarters with reform suggestions. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073936.html

Transparency International 2021: Armenian maintains its rank amid significant progress in recent years

2003: 3 points out of 10

2012: 34 points out of 100

2017: 35

2018: 35

2019: 42

2020: 49

2021: 49

Ahead of Moldova, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Turkey, Azerbaijan.

On par with Greece.

Behind Georgia, Poland, Italy.

https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2021 https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073902.html

2021 press stats

Free speech committee: 2021 was a tense period because of the post-war developments, elections, and political turmoil. Politicians, officials, and ordinary citizens targeted reporters. Rally attendees would often label journalists as members of the opposite fraction, leading to an intolerant attitude.

There were 60 defamation lawsuits against reporters, down from 61 in 2020. Although plaintiffs usually demanded maximum compensation, courts have never required outlets to pay the maximum yet.

99 violations of the right to receive information, up from 90 in 2020.

18 physical attacks affecting 20 reporters, much higher than in the previous year. Zero physical attacks towards the end of the year, in 4Q2021.

107 instances of pressure on reporters by ordinary residents and officials, a decrease from the previous year.

We would like Pashinyan to return to the old press conference format that he organized as a newly elected premier. It was unprecedented in Armenian history for the leader to invite absolutely everyone and to leave 5 hours later, only after answering every question. That was better than the [curated] Q&As we see today. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073919.html https://factor.am/467686.html https://factor.am/467716.html

what did Armenia's post office discuss with their global counterpart?

HayPost and Universal Postal Union met in Switzerland. HayPost presented its recent modernizations and discussed new deals with the global partner.

HayPost wants electric motorcycles and new equipment at the parcel processing facility to improve service.

UPU praised HayPost's "digital transportation in the past two years" and the efforts to operate a pharma delivery network "HayPostMed" across the country.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073924.html

Civil Aviation is hiring 2020 war veterans

The aviation agency signed a cooperation memorandum with Soldier's Rehabilitation Center to organize classes (later jobs) and find those who are interested in pursuing a career in this field.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073956.html

boxing news

Hovhannes Bachkov is training for his next match in the professional ring. He will be coached by MTK Global's Danny Vaughan. Bachkov is the European champion and Olympics bronze winner.

In other news. Armenia's boxing championship has begun in the Dinamo sports complex. Over 80 half-naked men will beat each other for your pleasure (no homo).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073887.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073889.html

Armenia will return to Eurovision this year

The first round is on May 10. The finale is on May 14, in Torino.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1073946.html

PHOTO: Kim Kardashyan received թթու լավաշ as gift from singer Super Sako

Armenian Fruit Roll Up Tutu Lavash, wrote Kim.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/229844

Kanye West sends a direct warning to Kim Kardashian family: do not play when it comes to my kids 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿

>Don't play with my kids. Whoever y'all work for, whoever y'all think the family is working for, I'm telling you right now, don't play with my children

He added that it's going to be all "legal".

>It's going to be all legal, baby.

>'You ain't finna gaslight me, it's going to be calm like this,' he said. 'But that's not what we finna play.' [he was angry about not being invited to daughter's b-day]

Kanye also criticized Kim after she uploaded a TikTok with their 8-year-old daughter wearing lipstick.

News piece requested by readers to track the downfall and radicalization of Kanye West.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10437491/Kanye-West-sends-warning-Kardashians-kids-divorce-drama-rages-on.html https://www.xxlmag.com/kanye-west-warning-kardashians/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/kanye-west-blasts-kim-kardashian-26038881

more

The news in русский (by Impossible-Ad-).

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/scob30/jan252022_major_education_reforms_to_address_the/