Students of the Armenian Agricultural College visit the Parliament.

On February 28 within the framework of the “Open Lesson” programme the students of the Agricultural State College of Armenian State Agrarian University visited the parliament. After following the NA four-day sittings the students of the college met Eduard Sharmazanov, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, touching the inclusive format of the interests with lively interpellations. After the first question it became clear that the young people were impressed with the parliamentary work: in response to the question “What preconditions are needed to become deputy?” the NA Deputy Speaker has presented the main legally stipulated standards, as well as the two electoral systems, functioning in Armenia, and which with their correlation today provide at best the representation of the parties and certain areas in the legislative body. Nevertheless, Mr Sharmazanov considered more important not only the issue of the choice of the electoral system, but also the provision of free and fair election.

The young people were interested in the NA deputy Speaker’s view on different problems: from the efficiency of the investment of the senior school up to the participation of Armenian singer in Eurovision. The student of the college was interested in the possibility of moving to the higher educational institution without examination in case of showing high progress in the senior school. In the NA Deputy Speaker’s opinion, the education is a delicate sphere, and does not tolerate revolutionary changes. Saying that here more professional and not political approach is needed, Mr Sharmazanov has promised to pass the question to the Committee of the Parliament on Education. To the NA Deputy Speaker’s conviction, we should more facilitate the process of entering the higher educational institution and instead make complicated the process of studying and graduating, as it is accepted in many countries of the world. Mr Sharmazanov said on finding a job appropriate to the specialty after graduating from the higher educational institution that we should get rid of thinking about planning economy and understand that the main motive of competition in market relations, including the educational system.

The speaker also touched upon issues of fighting ability of the Armenian Army, Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy and religious freedom. In connection with the incidents registered in the army he has noted that the cases have been reduced, instead they have become transparent, and today they are not smothered.