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Global Voices Online, MA
Armenia: Education Blogs
Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 11:34 UTC
by Onnik Krikorian
Countries:Armenia
Topics: Development, Education
Languages: English
While blogs undoubtedly came of age during the recent post-election
state of emergency when the traditional media was effectively muzzled
for 20 days, that is not to say that politics is the main focus of
every blog. Indeed, it might even be argued that such blogs do little
more than duplicate the same kind of polarized views voiced by a
myriad of politically partisan newspapers.
Instead, now that post-election tensions are dying down in Armenia,
there is a huge potential for blogs to cover more specific issues
which are either ignored or left undiscussed by the media and society
in general. One of those subjects is education, an area which is
particularly tainted by corruption in the post-Soviet space.
According to Transitions Online's education blog, Chalkboard, Armenia
is no exception when it comes to the slow pace of reform.
While authorities tout Bologna reforms as creating a modern,
competitive education system in Armenia, many feel that the transition
is only exacerbating existing problems. In spite of the Ministry of
Education's lofty plans, Armenian schools continue to grapple with a
critical shortage of resources and qualified teachers, especially in
rural areas, due to persistent low public spending on education ` only
3.2 percent of GDP according to the most recent figures from the World
Bank.
Education has also become the focus of other specialist blogs dealing
with Armenia and the South Caucasus. The Armenian Economist, for
example, is critical of government plans to fund students to study
abroad. The blog argues that the money would be better spent on
improving the education system at home.
The prime minister recently announced that the government will fund
the education of a number of students in foreign
countries. Undoubtedly this is a confirmation of the country's
dramatic need for capacity building, as well as a reflection of the
slow progress in advancing the state of graduate education in the
country.
[¦]
[¦] The limited resources should instead be employed in attracting
educators to the country. Here, a much larger pool of students would
get training. More importantly, current faculty would also get
training, and upgrade their academic skills.
[¦]
At the end of the day, it is the academic institutions in the country
that need to be shored up. Otherwise, capacity building will continue
to be a long slow process.
Armenia Higher Education & Sciences, a blog by lecturer and consultant
Aryana Petrova, is also unhappy with the government's
policies. Already wondering if the new Minister of Education and
Sciences will be able to `implement long overdue reforms [¦] [in]
one of the most inefficient and ineffective state administrations,'
Petrova laments the conditions in which scientists have to work.
We are occasionally told that if Armenia's neighbors have abundant
natural resources, Armenia is lucky to have its people. [¦]
The problem with intellectual potential or capital is that, unlike
other resources, it is extremely mobile and if it is not protected,
supported and nurtured, it can easily relocate. There are countries
that seek foreign talent to boost their own economy in detriment of
those that experience loss of talent or so-called brain drain.
Armenia is in the latter situation; it is currently subject to brain
drain. [¦]
It is true that the migration has sharply declined in recent years but
it has not stopped. The country's research and innovation capacity
shrinks year after year, and this will certainly continue as long as
serious measures in favor of the country's education and research are
not taken.
Meanwhile, Social Science in the Caucasus examines Armenia's standing
in the international Trends in International Mathematics and Science
Study (TIMSS). However, the blog wonders if the scores reported
accurately reflect the real situation and uses its blog to solicit
responses and further research on the matter.
Some alternative studies conducted in Armenia suggest that TIMSS
sample may not be representative of the overall population. If we
understand the argument correctly, the authors of this study argue
that students included in the sample in Armenia are from middle-upper
classes. Effectively this could mean that the poorest remain
underrepresented. This may be an interesting topic for research (any
potential fellows out there?).
Assuming that subjects such as education continue to be covered,
specialist blogs such as these might well prove excellent mediums
through which to discuss the issues at hand. They might also prove
instrumental in providing transparency in the arduous task of
reforming a corrupt and inefficient educational system in countries
such as Armenia.
In 2006, for example, international students at Yerevan State Medical
University (YSMU) set up their own blog following demonstrations
staged after the controversial death of an Indian course
mate. Although it has since been deleted, the precedent for blogs to
empower students and push for accountability in the education system
was set.
Posted by Onnik Krikorian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Armenia: Education Blogs
Sunday, July 6th, 2008 @ 11:34 UTC
by Onnik Krikorian
Countries:Armenia
Topics: Development, Education
Languages: English
While blogs undoubtedly came of age during the recent post-election
state of emergency when the traditional media was effectively muzzled
for 20 days, that is not to say that politics is the main focus of
every blog. Indeed, it might even be argued that such blogs do little
more than duplicate the same kind of polarized views voiced by a
myriad of politically partisan newspapers.
Instead, now that post-election tensions are dying down in Armenia,
there is a huge potential for blogs to cover more specific issues
which are either ignored or left undiscussed by the media and society
in general. One of those subjects is education, an area which is
particularly tainted by corruption in the post-Soviet space.
According to Transitions Online's education blog, Chalkboard, Armenia
is no exception when it comes to the slow pace of reform.
While authorities tout Bologna reforms as creating a modern,
competitive education system in Armenia, many feel that the transition
is only exacerbating existing problems. In spite of the Ministry of
Education's lofty plans, Armenian schools continue to grapple with a
critical shortage of resources and qualified teachers, especially in
rural areas, due to persistent low public spending on education ` only
3.2 percent of GDP according to the most recent figures from the World
Bank.
Education has also become the focus of other specialist blogs dealing
with Armenia and the South Caucasus. The Armenian Economist, for
example, is critical of government plans to fund students to study
abroad. The blog argues that the money would be better spent on
improving the education system at home.
The prime minister recently announced that the government will fund
the education of a number of students in foreign
countries. Undoubtedly this is a confirmation of the country's
dramatic need for capacity building, as well as a reflection of the
slow progress in advancing the state of graduate education in the
country.
[¦]
[¦] The limited resources should instead be employed in attracting
educators to the country. Here, a much larger pool of students would
get training. More importantly, current faculty would also get
training, and upgrade their academic skills.
[¦]
At the end of the day, it is the academic institutions in the country
that need to be shored up. Otherwise, capacity building will continue
to be a long slow process.
Armenia Higher Education & Sciences, a blog by lecturer and consultant
Aryana Petrova, is also unhappy with the government's
policies. Already wondering if the new Minister of Education and
Sciences will be able to `implement long overdue reforms [¦] [in]
one of the most inefficient and ineffective state administrations,'
Petrova laments the conditions in which scientists have to work.
We are occasionally told that if Armenia's neighbors have abundant
natural resources, Armenia is lucky to have its people. [¦]
The problem with intellectual potential or capital is that, unlike
other resources, it is extremely mobile and if it is not protected,
supported and nurtured, it can easily relocate. There are countries
that seek foreign talent to boost their own economy in detriment of
those that experience loss of talent or so-called brain drain.
Armenia is in the latter situation; it is currently subject to brain
drain. [¦]
It is true that the migration has sharply declined in recent years but
it has not stopped. The country's research and innovation capacity
shrinks year after year, and this will certainly continue as long as
serious measures in favor of the country's education and research are
not taken.
Meanwhile, Social Science in the Caucasus examines Armenia's standing
in the international Trends in International Mathematics and Science
Study (TIMSS). However, the blog wonders if the scores reported
accurately reflect the real situation and uses its blog to solicit
responses and further research on the matter.
Some alternative studies conducted in Armenia suggest that TIMSS
sample may not be representative of the overall population. If we
understand the argument correctly, the authors of this study argue
that students included in the sample in Armenia are from middle-upper
classes. Effectively this could mean that the poorest remain
underrepresented. This may be an interesting topic for research (any
potential fellows out there?).
Assuming that subjects such as education continue to be covered,
specialist blogs such as these might well prove excellent mediums
through which to discuss the issues at hand. They might also prove
instrumental in providing transparency in the arduous task of
reforming a corrupt and inefficient educational system in countries
such as Armenia.
In 2006, for example, international students at Yerevan State Medical
University (YSMU) set up their own blog following demonstrations
staged after the controversial death of an Indian course
mate. Although it has since been deleted, the precedent for blogs to
empower students and push for accountability in the education system
was set.
Posted by Onnik Krikorian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress