EDUCATION

    The educational system in marz includes institutions subordinate to RA Ministry of Science and Education and community subordinate educational institutions.

   There are 124 comprehensive (93 secondary, 25 junior high, 2 elementary) and 4 boarding schools in marz. The number of students is 23841. About 3125 teachers are employed at schools. Only 78% of the teachers have specialized education. The average density of the classes has made 15.2 students, and teacher-student correlation is 1/8.

   In 2002 among graduates 6 students were awarded medals and 730 students have entered state institutes.

   At republican competition of subject Olympiads the students of marz were awarded 14 diploma, 18 honorary diploma and won the 3^rd place.

    28 schools have been rehabilitated and 2 new schools in Lehvaz (Meghry region) and Aghitu (Sisian region) have been built in 2002.

   For absence of schools in 22 settlements of marz about 150 students attend neighbour schools. The transportation costs are compensated by the government.

    In the scope of educational system reforms in the result of the project implementation on the rationalization of marz schools the new management and financial system established at schools in December 2002 with state, non-commercial organization status will give a chance to improve the financial state of schools.

   With support of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State 10 computer classrooms provided with Internet have been established at schools of marz towns and villages. Such projects have been also supported by other international organizations such as Project Harmony, Soros, etc.

   There are 2 State Universities in Syunik marz. They are State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA) Kapan and Goris Campuses. There are also 6 private institute or branches and 7 colleges (Kapan State Engineering College, Kapan State Musical College, Kapan State Medical College, Goris State Pedagogical College, Sisian State Economics College, Sisian State Humanitarian College, Meghri State College).

   The most serious issue about institutes is to meet the demand for professional, high-qualified professors and lecturers with science degree. The problem can be partially solved by applying the modern system of distance learning. In near future RA government and international organizations (IREX/IATP) will undertake the implementation of the project.

   Besides their educational role the high educational institutions and colleges operating in marz have also social political importance for the region, since they play vital role in decreasing the migration of the youth, uniting the intellectuals, solving social- economical problems of marz and promoting the scientific and technical progress.