Around one week ago, turbulence arose at the “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” EduComplex when construction and fencing works launched in the area adjacent to the address 124 Zoravar Andranik.
The EduComplex community insists that the closure of the Educational Garden and the walkway disrupts the safe movement of learners and the “open environment” educational model. According to our conversations with the leaders of the EduComplex, they are not inclined toward escalating the situation at the institution. The community is positively disposed and hopes that it will be possible to resolve the issue through dialogue, mutual understanding, and agreement (consensus). From everything I have seen so far—at least from the position, approach, and viewpoint of the EduComplex, as well as according to my personal impression—this issue should not be approached and viewed as a scenario of targeting the EduComplex out of political motives, personal revenge, or settling scores. I have seen many supporters of the authorities who form part of the EduComplex, and everyone there lives in an atmosphere of solidarity and brotherhood. Below I present some concerns, exhortations, and observations expressed by the employees of the EduComplex.
Naira Nikoghosyan, the principal of the Eastern School
According to the communication of Naira Nikoghosyan, the principal of the Eastern School-Kindergarten of “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” EduComplex, this is not only a problem of the educational community, and there is hope that the issue will receive its solution through consensus.
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According to Naira Nikoghosyan, the Educational Garden is an open, safe, and inclusive environment created over decades that serves both the learners and the entire community. She emphasizes that the preservation of this space is important for everyone and hopes that the issue will receive its positive solution through dialogue and consensus. According to founding principal Ashot Bleyan, the situation created around the Educational Garden concerns not only the “Mkhitar Sebastatsi” EduComplex, but also the entire urban community. He emphasizes the importance of preserving the open, safe, and community green space formed over years. Bleyan calls for viewing the issue in the domain of cooperation, expressing hope that as a result of constructive dialogue between stakeholder parties, it will be possible to find an acceptable and balanced solution for everyone.
During the press conference recently held at the EduComplex, Ashot Bleyan emphasized the institution’s constructive position, stating: “If sharp expressions were uttered under the influence of emotions, please do not view us as such; that is not our style and type.” He also stressed that if the EduComplex had reacted with anger and fury and had decided to close the spaces and amenities voluntarily provided by it, doing so would only harm the community. That contradicts the essence, spirit, mission, and legacy of the EduComplex, which has always been and remains serving the Malatia-Sebastia community and contributing to its development.
Tatev Sahakyan, a parent and elementary teacher:
“I think any renovation should first and foremost take into account the safety of the people and the already formed environment. It is painful to lose those green spaces and walkways that have been created and preserved over the years. It is important to find a solution that will harm neither the children, nor the residents, nor the environment created by the EduComplex. Renovation should not create obstacles, but rather make the space convenient and safe for everyone. I feel pain, but I hope that a sensible solution will be found in this matter that will preserve what we already have and at the same time allow making the space more renovated and comfortable.”
Elya Sahakyan, a parent:
“This is the daily path of mine, my child, and many others with their children. In recent months, the constantly dusty path (they renovated the kindergarten building, commissioned it, and started the external works) is still the safest. How wonderful it would have been if, as a result of earlier discussions, we had shared space with Yerevan Kindergarten No. 95 without tension, cared for it together, where children could play, plant trees, and so on. For some unknown reason: walls, bars, isolation.”
Nelli Arghutyan, head of the laboratory for the care and development group:
“As the head of the laboratory for the 2–5-year-olds’ care and development group of the ‘Mkhitar Sebastatsi’ EduComplex, I look at this issue not only from the perspective of preserving green space, but also from the viewpoint of creating a new educational opportunity. The territory of Kindergarten No. 95, which lies directly between the College and the Eastern School-Kindergarten, can become a common, inclusive, and living research laboratory unifying the three educational environments. This space will give the opportunity to form a new model of pedagogical cooperation, where the College of the ‘Mkhitar Sebastatsi’ EduComplex, the Eastern School-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten No. 95 will together create a continuous educational environment for researching, experimenting, learning, and exchanging pedagogical thoughts. What is important is not to divide with walls, but to unite. Not to close the walkway, but to preserve it as a path of meeting and cooperation for pupils, learners, educators, and neighborhood residents. My proposal: restore and preserve the green slope, do not close the walkway, and turn the area into a joint inclusive research laboratory for the three educational institutions. Because an educational environment is not just the building. It is also the path, the yard, the green slope, the meeting, the joint work, and the pedagogical thought created together. Here, a student of the College can learn in a real environment, an active educator can research and experiment, and a pupil, with their natural curiosity, can discover the world. Renovation should not eliminate green space, but open up new educational opportunities.”
Bedros MANOUKIAN
Photos by the author
“Aravot” Daily Newspaper
