Within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center and the Seismic Protection Territorial Survey (SPTS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, a meeting was held with the participation of the staff from both RPPC and SPTS.
The Memorandum is aimed at reducing seismic risk in educational institutions, as well as increasing the awareness and preparedness of participants in the educational organization process within the framework of the field. Within the scope of the Cooperation, it is planned to develop, create and disseminate educational materials, as well as informational and methodological guides on the topic of seismic protection, and to organize training courses for responsible staff of educational institutions, teachers, as well as students, in particular, those children with special educational needs, with the joint efforts of specialists from SPTS and RPPC, in order to develop knowledge and skills in the field of seismic protection.
Welcoming the participants, RPPC Deputy Director Haykuhi Adamyan and Director of the Seismic Protection Territorial Survey Sos Margaryan emphasized the importance of the Cooperation and expressed hope that it will contribute to the growth of seismic protection literacy among the public, as well as the easier integration of psychosocially vulnerable groups into this process, increasing their defense capacity in seismic hazardous situations, and reducing risks.
According to RPPC Deputy Director Haykuhi Adamyan, creating a safe educational environment is one of the agenda issues, and in order to achieve it, it is necessary to assess risks and transfer to learners the skills of quick orientation in emergency situations.
During the Meeting, a seminar-discussion was also held, during which the Head of the Population Affairs Department Syuzanna Kakoyan presented to the RPPC staff the peculiarities of working with school and preschool educational institutions, state and local self-government bodies, private companies and other organizations, the principles of seismic hazard and risk assessment, as well as the “Code of Conduct for Protection from Earthquakes.” The participants learned more about preparing for an earthquake, reducing risks in the environment, the contents of a first aid kit, as well as actions to be taken during and after an earthquake. In particular, the importance was attached to the specifics of awareness-raising for children with various characteristics, including people with disabilities.
Afterwards, the RPPC specialists had a tour around the Data Collection and Operational Processing Department of the Seismic Hazard Assessment Complex Department, the seismogeochemical analytical laboratory, and the tunnel chamber of the Garni Geophysical Observatory, gaining hands-on knowledge on the entire process of seismic hazard assessment and management.
At the end of the Meeting, the parties mutually expressed their willingness to jointly plan and implement further actions to increase the management of seismic risks among students in educational institutions.
RPPC continues to expand its cooperation with various organizations in the context of ensuring a safe educational environment.
19․06.2025
