armenpress: 17 SCHOOLS MERGE IN SHIRAK PROVINCE

GYUMRI, JANUARY 7, ARMENPRESS: The first phase of the so-called “school optimization” (improvement) program has been accomplished in the northern province of Shirak by merging 17 secondary schools and sacking 519 teachers, of whom local officials said 130 were of retirement age, 389 did not have special education.

The educational department of governor’s office is looking into each layoff case to prevent sacking of qualified teachers. It said 30 of the sacked teachers were restored.