Within the framework of the “Women in the Legislative” series, Iravaban.net spoke with Anna Kostanyan, a member of the “Bright Armenia” faction of the National Assembly.

We talked with the deputy about the second Artsakh war, the trilateral statement of 9 November, 2020 and the reforms initiated in the educational sphere.

– Mrs. Kostanyan, you are a founding member of the “Bright Armenia” party, but you were not active in politics until 2018. What is the reason?

– The BAP was founded in 2015 and one of my preconditions for joining the party was that I either have to be active or act as a passive supporter. Initially, I had no experience, I could not engage in aggressive politics at once. In 2017, I had a little experience participating in the parliamentary elections, which was a sign for me. As 2018 was the year of extraordinary parliamentary elections, I did not miss that opportunity, I appeared in the parliament.

– You are a linguist-pedagogue, but you have never worked at school. Was there no desire? 

– My first and last experience was in the school after John Kirakosyan, I had an internship for about a month and I understood that being a teacher is not a profession, it is a title. I did not have that title. I have not identified myself as a teacher, it is not ruled out that in the future, maybe.

– Is the profession of a teacher appreciated today?

– I think no. One of the main problems of our country is that the teacher is not sufficiently appreciated. All preconditions exist; they are not only in the hands of the current, but also in the hands of the future authorities to re-establish the institute of the teacher and the teacher’s role.

– In 2020, you announced that the education system is on the verge of collapse. Do you think the same now?

– Actually, yes. I do not see serious positive changes yet. All the reforms promised by the authorities are either partially done or done in fragments or half-done. We must heed all promises. Promises are made with lofty words, after which they are faced with the fact of how they should be fulfilled. We need to make small steps, but we can make changes. The first change must be in the educational system.

– Let’s talk about the second Artsakh war. Mrs. Kostanyan, how did you learn about the 9 November statement, from whom?

– I remember very well, every time I remember about it, my body trembles, because I did not sleep that night, I was at the scene, in the territory of the Government and the National Assembly.

Details in the video.

Interview by Yevgenia Hambardzumyan

Photos and editing by Vahe Vardanyan