NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION
2.2 Non-state education provision
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
- Early childhood care and education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Primary and secondary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
- Tertiary education (Entry/Establishment ○ Financial operation ○ Quality of teaching and learning ○ Equitable access ○ Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability)
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
The 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015) regulates all education levels in Armenia. While the law
does not define non-state educational institutions, it provides individuals with the right to choose between
state or non-state institutions for their education. The law states additionally states that non-state educational
institutions can be established by an individual or legal entity and can have any organisational form that
complies with regulations. The 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015) and 2009 Law on General
Education additionally distinguish between "community" and "international" schools.
According to the 22005 Law on Preschool Education, ECCE services can be established by a community or
non-state provider.
2.1 State education provision
State schools
In Armenia, most education (97%) at primary (four years, beginning at age six, known as 'elementary'), lower
secondary (five years, beginning at age 10, known as 'secondary' ) and upper secondary levels (two years,
beginning at age 15, known as "high school') is provided by the state. The state provides free and compulsory education for 12 years and covers all levels from primary to upper secondary education.
Non-state managed, state schools
No information was found.
Non-state funded, state schools
According to the 2009 Law on General Education (Art.35), state and local budgets are the primary funding
source for public educational institutions. However, individuals or legal persons from Armenia or foreign
countries are also allowed to finance state schools.
2.2 Non-state education provision
Independent, non-state schools
Non-state schools are owned, managed, and financed by non-state organisations, primarily through student
tuition fees. According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), non-state schools are required
to comply with state education standards but can, with prior state authorisation, include alternative
syllabuses in their school charter.
International schools are established and owned exclusively by non-state actors (including foundations) on
the basis of interstate or intergovernmental agreements. These educational institutions can implement their
programs in foreign languages with prior state approval. However, if they have Armenian students, they must
include Armenian subjects and language in accordance with state educational standards. The 2009 Law on General Education additionally clarifies that there cannot be more than 11 educational institutions
implementing these types of programs and no more than four in the same foreign language.
State-funded (government-aided), non-state schools
Community schools are established by the community leader on behalf of the community with government
and local budgets. These institutions are created in accordance with the 2001 Law on State Non-Profit Organisations in the legal form of a "community non-commercial organisation.
Contracted, non-state schools
No information was found.
2.3 Other types of schools
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is authorised by law when learners are unable to attend an educational institution for health
reasons. According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), educational programs
must comply with state educational standards and follow the learner's needs through on-site education,
distance learning, and external studies (family and self-education). According to the 2004 Law on Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education (last amended in 2021), higher education programs may be
delivered through different instruction methods, including distance learning, upon government approval.
Market contracted (Voucher schools)
No information was found.
Unregistered/Unrecognised schools
No information was found.
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MESCS) is responsible for the regulation of non-state actors in education from preschool to tertiary level. Within the MESCS, the licensing department is responsible for their registration, while the Education Inspectorate oversees their monitoring and evaluation. The governance of early childhood care and education (ECCE) is under four different Ministries: The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports (MESCS), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Territorial Affairs. Higher education is under the supervision of the MESCS and the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA).
According to the 2002 Law on Self-Government Bodies, the Head of the Region and communities are responsible for state policy implementation within their jurisdiction, particularly for ECCE.
Vision: Two of the strategic approaches for the achievement of education development in the "State Development Program for Education of the Republic of Armenia until 2030" aim to foster social dialogue and partnerships with the private sector and civil society.
3.1 Regulations by distinct levels of education
The 2005 Law on Preschool Education defines a "preschool educational institution" as a legal organisation that implements at least one type of ECCE program based on a relevant license. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services include nurseries (ages 0-3), kindergartens (ages 3-6), and preschools (ages 5-6). They can be owned by the state, communities, or non-state actors.
Registration and approval: According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), all play, eating, and sleeping spaces in preschools must meet government health requirements. State educational standards for pre-school education are mandatory for all pre-school education institutions regardless of their organisation and/or legal status, and include standards in monitoring, environment, institutional disaster preparedness, and maximum student ratio. The MESCS determines the maximum number of students in a group according to the students' age and level. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: See Multi-level regulations.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Non-state preschools can select their own teaching methods and programs, including alternative pedagogies, experimental educational programs, or international programs. International preschools can only be established by non-state providers or those established under intergovernmental agreements with prior state authorisation. Regardless of the preschool educational program or ownership, all ECCE centres must comply with the state educational standards established by the MESCS. All preschools are required to provide education in the Armenian language, with the exception of preschools for national minorities or international preschools in foreign languages. National minorities may use their mother tongue or national language as their main language of instruction, with compulsory education in Armenian.
Teaching profession: All staff at state and non-state preschools are covered by national labor law, and must comply with the minimum professional qualifications established by the MESCS. Non-state preschools can set their hiring process based on their institutional charter.
Fee-setting: According to the 2009 Law on General Education (Art.35), non-state educational institutions established under Armenian law may charge tuition fees in accordance with each institution's charter.
Admission selection and processes: Admissions in pre-schools are carried out on the basis of a contract between the parent and the institution, as stipulated in the 2005 Law on Preschool Education. During the admission process, the manager of the preschool is required to inform the parents of the institution's charter and any other documents that regulate the preschools' activities.
Policies for vulnerable groups: According to the 2005 Law on Preschool Education, families that are part of national minorities have the right for their child to be educated in their mother tongue or in a preschool that has a course in that language.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
Inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Child assessment: Assessments are defined as “the evaluation of compliance with the methodology of educational programs”.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
Registration and approval: See Multi-level regulations.
Licence: See Multi-level regulations.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH): According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), all educational institutions must meet health and safety standards.
Profit-making: See Multi-level regulations.
Taxes and subsidies: See Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: All schools in Armenia must comply with the state curriculum and learning standards for general education, with the use of additional alternative syllabuses only permitted upon prior state approval. According to the 2009 Law on General Education, non-state actors or institutions established by interstate and intergovernmental agreements may implement international programs in foreign languages, although the teaching of the Armenian language is mandatory for all Armenian citizens studying in international schools.
Textbooks and learning materials: Non-state educational institutions can use alternative educational materials that have been approved by the state and meet the state education standards.
Teaching profession: All teachers (state and non-state) must meet the teacher's qualifications established by the MESCS.
Corporal punishment: According to the 2009 Law on General Education, every student has the right to be protected from any physical or psychological punishment by staff or students, which violate the student's rights or his/her dignity.
Other safety measures and COVID-19: The Guide on the organisation of activities in general education institutions during COVID-19 includes disinfection guidelines for the staff and school as well as modifications in curricula and class schedules.
Fee-setting: Non-state educational institutions may charge students tuition fees in accordance with each institution's charter. According to the 2009 Law on General Education, all institutional charters must comply with government regulations and be approved by the government.
Admission selection and processes: The 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015) and 2009 Law on General Education specify that non-state institutions can set their admission procedures, but must inform parents or legal guardians about their policies and fees. Admission tests for the first year of primary are prohibited.
Policies for vulnerable groups: General education for national minorities can be organised in their mother tongue, with compulsory teaching of Armenian.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
School board: According to the 2009 Law on General Education, non-state educational institutions can establish their own management, executive body, and director, as specified in the institution's charter.
Reporting requirements: See Multi-level regulations.
School inspection: See Multi-level regulations.
Student assessment: According to the 2009 Law on General Education, at the end of the elementary and basic secondary general education, all educational institutions must implement a student assessment at the end of primary to verify that students meet state education outcomes. Each institution can then choose the method and frequency of student assessments.
Diplomas and degrees: According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), licensed non-state schools have the right to issue state-issued graduation certificates based on a form established by the MESCS.
Sanctions: See Multi-level regulations.
In Armenia, most higher education institutions (63 in total), which include universities, institutes, academies, and conservatories, are public. There are three types of universities: public (non-commercial foundations) (22 universities), private (37 universities), and cross-border institutions (4 intergovernmental agreements and 9 branches of foreign universities).
Registration and approval: All non-state higher education institutions must be accredited by the National Centre for Professional Education Quality Assurance Foundation (ANQA) or any other quality assurance agency registered in the European Quality Assurance Register. The accreditation process involves a self-evaluation procedure to ensure compliance with accreditation criteria and standards and an external review, based on which the ANQA Accreditation Commission grants or denies the institution accreditation. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Licence: Once a license has been granted (and the licensing fee is paid), institutions are registered in the State Accreditation Registrar. All providers are required to pay an annual fee to the state in order to ensure the validity of their license. Accreditation is granted for 4 or 6 years. Conditional Institutional Accreditation can be granted for 2 years. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Profit-making: See Multi-level regulations.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the 2004 Law on Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education (last amended in 2021), the state guarantees the right to free higher education in state educational institutions. Accredited, non-state higher education institutions can compete for the reimbursement of student tuition fees by the state, while cross-border institutions get a small amount of funding from the state budget. For more information, see Multi-level regulations.
Quality of teaching and learning
Curriculum and education standards: Universities may offer only the available programs on the list of Professionals and Qualifications approved by the government, with additional government approval required if a program they intend to offer is not on that list. Private universities must follow the curriculum and educational standards mandated by the government, with the autonomy to determine their academic structure, teaching methodology, and research. Cross-border institutions are required to include the subjects of “Armenian language” and “Armenian history" in their programs.
Teaching profession: Private and cross-border universities recruit their own staff and determine their salary rates.
Fee-setting: The state is responsible for determining the maximum amount of tuition fees a HEIs can charge based on the educational degree offered, in accordance with the 2004 Law on Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education.
Admission selection and processes: Higher education institutions can determine their own admission and selection process.
Quality assurance, monitoring and accountability
Board: Private universities have the autonomy to determine their governing bodies.
Reporting requirements: According to the 2004 Law on Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education (as amended in 2021), higher education institutions are required to publish their quality assessment and accreditation criteria.
Inspection: No information was found.
Assessment: No information was found.
Diplomas and degrees: According to the Law on Higher and Postgraduate Professional Education (2004 as lastly amended in 2021), the government is responsible for setting graduation and degree accreditation standards. While universities may grant certificates, they are prohibited from awarding degrees.
Sanctions: If a HEI is found to be in violation of their licensing requirements, the authorised public administration body may impose warnings or withdraw the institution's license.
3.2 Multi-level regulations
This section covers regulations on the establishment, operation, and quality of non-state institutions from pre-primary to tertiary education level.
Registration and approval: According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), all non-state education institutions must apply for registration to operate with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. The 2000 Licensing of Educational Activities in the Republic of Armenia stipulates that all applications must include a copy of the state registration certificate, the Institutional Charter, and detailed information that ensures compliance with the state's educational standards. All educational institutions must meet the infrastructure standards for educational buildings and pay the prescribed registration fee.
Licence: Once the application for a non-state educational institution has been approved, a license is issued indefinitely. All licenses are subject to compliance with the requirements set in the 2000 Licensing of Educational Activities in the Republic of Armenia. A non-state educational institution operating without a license is liable for conviction.
Profit-making: No information was found.
Taxes and subsidies: According to the 2009 Law on General Education, primary and secondary schools are offered certain tax exemptions.
Quality of teaching and learning
Reporting requirements: All educational institutions (regardless of their organisation and/or legal status) must comply with the state’s quality assurance mechanisms. According to the 2009 Law on General Education, every educational institution must conduct an internal and external assessment to verify their compliance with educational standards and the effectiveness of their activities. The internal evaluation must be administered once a year and include participation from staff and parents.
Inspection: According to the 1999 Law on Education (as amended in 2015), the Education Inspectorate is responsible for the supervision and inspection of educational institutions from pre-primary to secondary level to ensure their compliance with government regulations and educational standards. An independent organisation additionally performs an external evaluation of the institution as part of the institution's external assessment.
Sanctions: Non-state educational institution can be dissolved or closed if they are found to not comply with the state's laws or licensing requirements.
3.3 Supplementary private tutoring
According to the 2009 Law on General Education (Art. 14), the participation of students in additional private tutoring classes is voluntary and carried out based on a contract between the educational institution and the parents.
No information was found.
Financial operation and quality
No information was found.
No information was found.
