The Armenian government has approved a decision to reorganize Yerevan’s State Vocational Schools No. 8 and No. 9 through a merger, establishing the new Yerevan State College of Craftsmanship.

According to the rationale behind the decision, six state educational institutions currently operate in Yerevan, along with craft-focused programs in seven other public institutions. Yerevan’s No. 8 State Vocational School currently has approximately 349 students enrolled in seven different specialties, while No. 9 has 248 students studying in ten programs.

The two institutions offer five overlapping specializations. Additionally, the physical spaces exceed current needs multiple times over, leading to inefficient use of facilities and additional costs for maintenance.

The No. 8 school building is currently undergoing major renovations, which are expected to be completed in 2025. Upon completion, the college will be provided with the necessary material and technical resources to ensure quality education across all programs.

The implementation of this decision is expected to improve management efficiency, enhance educational conditions, retain existing specializations, and introduce new programs aligned with modern labor market demands.