The world of academics often finds its most thrilling moments in competitions that challenge the intellect and spirit of young minds. School Olympiads, an essential tradition in Armenian education, stand as a testament to the pursuit of excellence. To understand the meticulous planning and execution of these national events, we sat down with Kristine Petrosyan, a leading educational expert, to discuss the procedures for conducting the 2022-2023 school year Olympiads. Interviewer: Ms. Petrosyan, can you walk us through the stages involved in organizing school Olympiads? Answer: School Olympiads are organized in three distinct stages, each tailored to ensure fairness and rigor while catering to different grade groups. The first stage, known as the school stage, is open to all students. Any interested participant simply needs to inform their school administration.

This stage took place between November and December 2022, and its results are non-appealable. The second stage, or the regional stage, was held in January and February 2023 at locations determined by regional administrations, including the Yerevan Municipality. Here, only the top-performing students from the first stage were invited to compete, as decided by the Republican Organizing Committee. The results of this stage could be appealed directly at the competition venue, during times set by the respective subject committees. Winners were rewarded with diplomas and certificates of commendation issued by the regional administrations or the municipality in Yerevan. The third and final stage, the republican stage, was conducted under the auspices of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports.

This stage occurred between February 17 and May 15, 2023, at a venue designated by the Ministry. Only the best performers from the second stage advanced to this level. Similar to the regional stage, appeals for the third stage results were considered at the competition venue during designated times. Participants received certificates of participation, while winners were awarded diplomas from the Ministry.

These diplomas carried special significance for students in grades 10 through 12, as they positioned these winners as candidates for Armenia’s team in international Olympiads. Interviewer: What role does the Republican Subject Committee play in these Olympiads? Answer: The Republican Subject Committee is instrumental in ensuring the integrity and quality of the competitions. They are responsible for drafting all versions of the Olympiad tasks across all three stages and for overseeing the process to maintain consistency and fairness. Interviewer: How do these Olympiads influence students' academic journeys? Answer:

Participation in Olympiads promotes a culture of academic excellence and provides students with an invaluable platform to showcase their talents. For those who reach the republican stage and excel, the opportunities extend far beyond national borders, as they gain the honor of representing Armenia on the global stage in international Olympiads. This structured approach to organizing school Olympiads not only nurtures young talent but also fosters a spirit of healthy competition and lifelong learning. As Ms. Petrosyan aptly points out, these events symbolize the dedication to cultivating intellectual potential, one stage at a time.

BY Nazik Hayrapetyan