YEREVAN, October 22. /ARKA/. Credits of World Bank will allow to provide continuity of educational reforms in Armenia during crisis”, said Armen Ashotyan, Minister of Education and Science of Armenia.

On Thursday five-year credit program of World Bank and Ministry of Education of Armenia “Quality of education and compliance” in the amount of $31.26 million is started. The program will focus on the systems of pre-school and higher education.

“The steps of new credit program will give opportunity to give students’ credits, opening of a number of pre-school institutions in 140 communities of Armenia", said Ashotyan.

“Funding should become an incentive for higher institutions”, said Ashotyan. Though the program is concentrated on schools and higher education and reforms of general education system will continue. Credit of World Bank in the amount of $19 million for the first program.

“Quality of education and compliance” is envisaged for 2004-2008. The program consists of 4 components – improvement of the system of general education and assessment, introduction of new educational technologies at school, professional improvement of teachers and increase of efficiency of management of educational system. -0--