Cases of Physical Violence Against Students Recorded in One School

The Inspectorate of the Republic of Armenia's education department has conducted administrative proceedings at the "N Secondary School of Lori Province" regarding an incident between a physics teacher and a seventh-grade student that occurred in 2026. This has been reported by the inspectorate.

During class, the student (under the pretense of tying shoelaces) entered under the desk and did not comply with the request to come out. Following this incident, a criminal case has been initiated by the Lori Regional Investigation Department of the Republic of Armenia’s Investigative Committee (under Article 171, Part 2, Point 4 and Article 247, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code).

In response to the incident, the school's administration initiated an extraordinary session of the pedagogical council, determining the need to strengthen psychological, methodological, and preventive work. An extraordinary school-wide parent meeting and a general meeting of the student council were organized.

A psychologist from the "Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center" has conducted an investigation at the school, and the findings have been provided to the inspectorate. The research revealed that physical violence against students (such as being grabbed, leaned against the wall, and shaken) has occurred, confirmed through class observations and conducted conversations.

Though the students' psychological state was assessed as stable and no deep psychological trauma was identified, a concerning phenomenon was recorded: such behavior among students is perceived as normal, acceptable, and justified by their own actions.

According to analyses by the inspectorate and the expert, it has been established that the work of the school's psychologist (who is also a homeroom teacher) towards creating a favorable psychological environment, preventing behavioral issues, and regulating interpersonal relations has not been sufficiently effective, contributing to the manifestation of behavioral problems in the student.

The teacher's assistant was found to have allowed documentation shortcomings (written analyses are lacking). Based on the examinations of the administrative proceedings, the expert's conclusions, and testimonies of those involved, the inspectorate noted that the school staff (director, deputy, school psychologist, and teacher's assistant) failed to fully perform their official duties, as well as breaches of professional conduct by the physics teacher.

As a result of the administrative proceeding, the school has been given directives to:

• Develop a psychological work plan for the seventh grade (group and individual work, preventive measures) and maintain appropriate written documents.
• Conduct periodic observations regarding the educational issues of seventh-grade students and prepare written analyses.
• Organize regular meetings and consultations with parents to enhance parenting skills and strengthen the school-family connection.
• Coordinate the work of specialized services (homeroom teacher, psychologist, teacher's assistant) and prepare a comprehensive report.
• Implement methods during teaching that will promote the development of positive personal characteristics (self-control, responsibility, valuing education) in students.

The Inspectorate of the Republic of Armenia, in line with its mission, continues to carry out its supervisory functions aimed at ensuring the compliance with legislative requirements in public educational institutions and the full and proper implementation of the given directives.