RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan participated in the high-rank “Transforming Education Summit +4” event held in Paris, which focused on ensuring the continuity of education in the event of crisis, and expanding access to safe, quality education for children affected by conflict, natural disasters, displacement, and other emergencies.
In the sidelines of the event, Zhanna Andreasyan participated in the panel discussion entitled “Achievements of the Transforming Education Summit Global Initiatives and their implications beyond 2030” and delivered a report.
Presenting Armenia's experience, the Minister emphasized that foundational learning, the development of skills necessary for employment, and lifelong learning constitute a single, integrated policy that begins in early childhood and continues throughout life. She noted that the Government of Armenia has declared education the “strategy of strategies,” guided by the principle: “Learn well to live well.”
“Education should prepare a person not only to enter the labour market, but also to adapt to change, participate meaningfully in society, and build dignified lives,” Zhanna Andreasyan stated.
The ESCS Minister introduced Armenia's education reforms through 2030, highlighting the advancement of inclusive and learner-centred education, the implementation of a competency-based national curriculum, the development of life skills and digital literacy, and initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of education management. As stated by the Minister, the impact of these reforms is already reflected in international assessment results.
Minister Andreasyan paid particular attention to the digital transformation of education and the integration of artificial intelligence, noting that Armenia is gradually moving from general digital literacy toward advanced AI education in schools. In this context, she highlighted the “Generation AI” and “STEP.ai” educational programs, the “Armath” engineering laboratories, and the TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies, emphasizing that together they form a unified ecosystem for technology education.
The Minister also underscored the significance of the Ministry's collaboration with “OpenAI”, based on which Armenian educational institutions and universities will gain access to the “ChatGPT Edu” platform starting with the 2026–2027 academic year.
"The success of education reform largely depends on the role of teachers. To this end, we are expanding opportunities for teachers' professional development, improving working conditions and remuneration, and promoting the acquisition of modern pedagogical and digital competencies," Zhanna Andreasyan emphasized.
Referring to the transition from education to employment, the Minister presented the active reforms in vocational education and training (VET), emphasizing the expansion of dual education, employer engagement, and the alignment of educational programs with the evolving needs of the economy. Hence, Armenia is also expanding opportunities for adult and non-formal education, making lifelong learning more accessible.
Zhanna Andreasyan stressed that the objective of education extends far beyond employability. She noted that education should also foster the values of peace, democracy, human rights, respect for diversity, and social responsibility.
“At Armenia's initiative, on 4 June 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Education for Peace resolution by consensus, without a vote,” the Minister noted.
During the next part of the panel discussion, the Minister addressed effective financing models for expanding lifelong learning and ensuring equal access, emphasizing that investment in education should not be regarded as an expenditure, but as a long-term investment in human capital, economic development, social cohesion, and national resilience. The significant increase in public investment in education in recent years has enabled Armenia to implement systemic reforms, modernize infrastructure, and broaden access to quality education.
The Minister also presented initiatives aimed at modernizing the learning environment, highlighting the Government's “300 Schools, 500 Kindergartens” program. She highlighted a broader vision for transforming the education system, noting that newly built educational complexes should serve not only as centres of formal education, but also as hubs for community development, cultural life, and lifelong learning.
Minister Andreasyan further presented the “Academic City” project, which integrates higher education, research, innovation, and the economy within a unified ecosystem.
Reflecting on the current challenges, the Minister stressed the need to continue investing in early childhood education, inclusive education, teacher development, adult learning, and digital infrastructure. She also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships among the public and private sectors, international organizations, local communities, and civil society, as well as advancing data-based policymaking that measures not only the volume of investment but also its impact on educational access, learning outcomes, and employment growth.
The “Transforming Education Summit +4”, organized by UNESCO, is a high-ranking international platform bringing together heads of state, ministers, and international partners to review the outcomes of the “Transforming Education Summit 2022” and accelerate education reforms toward achieving “Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education)” by 2030.
The opening of the summit was attended by UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and President of the Republic of South Africa and Co-Chair of the SDG 4 High-Level Steering Committee on Quality Education, Cyril Ramaphosa.