The NKR government has given a tentative go-ahead to opening three new kindergartens in the country. The school proposal was made by Vladik Khachatryan, NKR Education and Science Minister. If implemented, the decision will call for the construction of one new kindergarten in Stepanakert, Martuni and Martakert. With the addition of the three kindergartens, the number of such schools operating in the country will rise to twenty-four. There were only five public kindergartens operating in the country in 2007. There are also private kindergartens in the NKR, run by the Armenian Evangelical Society and the Armenian Relief Union.