Article 39 of Armenia’s Constitution states that, “basic general education is compulsory and that secondary education in state educational institutions is free of charge.”

Of course, schools are faced with a myriad of problems – low teacher salaries, corruption, lack of quality, overburdened classes, etc. But at least these are free of charge.

But can we say that just because we don’t pay for education that it’s free? For isn’t it correct to assume that for education to be free, all its components must be free as well?

The components of education are numerous – conditions in the classroom, instruction, and of course, the availability of educational materials.

Sadly, books and textbooks aren’t free. Except for the first grade, all other students pay to lease their textbooks.

Sure, the amount paid isn’t big, amounting to 3,000 AMD ($7.5 US) per year for all books. Nevertheless, such fees are mandatory. This clearly contradicts the constitution.

On average, we citizens of Armenia, pay around 1 billion AMD ($2-3 million US) to get books into the hands of students. So how can education be called free of charge?

Lately, information circulated that the Ministry of Education and Science has decided to allocate tablet computers to all first graders rather than basic textbooks. (We still don’t know who will cover the costs)

Most likely this program will be achieved to the same extent, let’s say, as promises to grant student loans at preferred rates. However, if the government is to pick up the tab for the tablets, wouldn’t it be better to use the money to lift the burden of paying for textbooks off the shoulders of parents?

Returning to the matter of having to pay for books, we must understand that a violation of the constitution is taking place, and that the RA Human Rights Defender or another agency must raise the issue with Armenia’s Constitutional Court.