RA Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Anna Babajanyan received the delegation led by Daniel Sanchez, the World Bank’s Social Protection Officer.

The meeting addressed the education component of the analysis entitled “Barriers to childcare and their links to women’s labor force participation in Armenia,” implemented with the support of the World Bank. Representatives of the Ministry’s general education and vocational education and training departments also attended the meeting.

Welcoming the guests, Anna Babajanyan highlighted the World Bank’s support for the implementation of education reforms in Armenia, emphasizing that numerous important initiatives continue to be implemented in partnership with the World Bank.

Daniel Sanchez presented the findings of the analysis on the key challenges related to access to childcare services, also addressing their impact on women’s participation in the labor market. In this context, particular emphasis was placed on improving the accessibility, affordability, and quality of childcare services, expanding service provision, licensing childcare facilities, strengthening professionals’ capacities, and enhancing data collection and monitoring systems.

Addressing the expansion of childcare services for children under the age of two, Deputy Minister Anna Babajanyan outlined the ongoing efforts, noting that pilot groups have been formed in Yerevan, Hrazdan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor.  It was noted that, alongside the expansion of services, it is vital to build professional and human capacities. The importance of close cooperation among public institutions involved in childcare and early childhood development, harmonizing approaches across different government agencies, and improving data quality and monitoring systems was also underscored.

The World Bank representatives expressed their willingness to continue cooperation with the ESCS Ministry and to provide expert support in the development of future initiatives.