The Voskepar village of Tavush is on the border with Azerbaijan. The local school is different from the rest of the schools in the country. It has a shelter underground due to the fact that gunshots are possible at any time.
The school’s principal, Harutyun Alaverdyan, told Aravot Daily that the schoolchildren have already grown used to the gunshots and even joke, “When they aren’t shooting, we start to get worried.”
A robotics group formed at the school in July of 2016 and its members have been very successful. The principal said that around 15 students are members of the group, and they have won medals in different competitions. One of those competitions was “Then, Animate (De, Animatsru).”
The Voskepar school has 64 students and there are 11 students in the preschool. They have 5 graduates this year, and 11 students will be going to first grade in September.
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They also have problems finding teachers. “We have issues finding professionals. If there is competition in other villages, it’s the opposite here. We beg teachers to come work at our school,” the principal said. He believes that the reason is because of how close the school is to the border.
Harutyun Alaverdyan said that they were the first ones to be fired upon in 1990, and they had dozens of casualties. The school building was also damaged by gunfire. Large trees were even damaged. Now, they have somewhat been able to fix the school building.
The territory near the 6th-7th century Holy Mother of God church in Voskepar is in direct view of Azerbaijan. It is covered in mines and dangerous. The church is in use. The Shakaraberd fortress from the 2nd-1st centuries BC and the 10th century Zorakamurj fortresses are nearby.
Gohar Hakobyan
