ArmInfo. Within the framework of a loan agreement signed between the Armenian government and the Asian
The Development Bank, the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia implements a program to increase seismic safety, which provides for the construction or strengthening of at least 46 schools in Armenia and the provision of safe learning conditions for 18,900 students. As the press service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the RA reports, it is also envisaged to revise the standards of seismic construction, develop guidelines for seismic construction, develop a seismic hazard map, upgrade the national network of seismic protection observations, etc. The project has already recorded the first results. In particular, the construction of the 153rd Yerevan School and the 7th Vanadzor School was completed. Work is ongoing in seven schools. This year, the completion of at least four schools is expected, as well as the design of fifteen schools, after which tenders for the selection of contractors will be announced.
Thus, 2 out of 46 schools have already completed the main and key indicators of the program, 7 are under construction, 23 are at the design stage. The program started in 2015 and should be completed by 2024. The total budget of the program is 107 million dollars. A loan from the Asian Development Bank is $ 88.5 million, and government co-financing is $ 18.5 million. It should be noted that within the framework of the program for enhancing seismic resistance funded by the Asian Development Bank, it is planned to strengthen the buildings of about 400 schools. At this stage, 46 of the most vulnerable educational institutions were selected. Studies conducted by international experts showed that there is a need for the demolition of 6 schools in Yerevan and the construction of new ones in their place that can withstand an earthquake of up to 9 points. Among these schools are Yerevan High School N18, Yerevan High School named after Heratsi, Yerevan Educational Complex Hakob Kojoyan, Yerevan School N6, Yerevan School N116 and Yerevan School N95. The construction of 6 new schools will begin this year.
