Following the successful pilot program in the Tavush region and in line with a new state standard for general education, "Healthy Lifestyle" Club became a mandatory part of the curriculum for 5th and 7th-grade students in public schools in Armenia. UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, and WFP have been supporting the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of RA (MoESCS) to fulfill the reform.
Comprehensive teacher manuals for the 5th and 7th grades of the "Healthy Lifestyle" Club have already been developed, including handouts for students. In the year 2024, a total of 6,000 manuals have been printed and distributed to public schools.
The transition from a pilot program in Tavush to all public schools in Armenia
A multidisciplinary expert group formed at the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (MoESCS) and UN agencies, played a crucial role in shaping the reforms. They developed accurate manuals and conducted extensive training and monitoring. Last year alone, they observed 60 lessons in 41 Tavush schools, monitoring the work of 55 teachers with around 800 pupils.
Anna Barfyan, Youth Analyst at UNFPA Armenia CO, highlighted the value of the monitoring efforts: "Based on monitoring results, we made necessary updates to the manuals, including adjusting exercise types, delivery methods, and lesson durations. These changes ensure teachers receive more complete and effective manuals."
Lusine Aleksanyan, Head of the Evaluation and Development department at the National Center for Education Development and Innovations of the RA, emphasized that this isn't a completely new subject: "It was previously taught in grades 8-11, and elements were covered in the 'I and the surrounding world' class for younger students. This initiative ensures smooth knowledge continuity, providing information for each age group step-by-step and taking into account the age peculiarities."
The "Healthy Living Handbook" covers essential topics like healthy eating, physical activity, hygiene, safety, mental and emotional well-being, social health, relationships, harmful habits, violence and exploitation, and sexual and reproductive health. The authors also developed an engaging methodology for presenting the material.
"Besides the content itself, we focused heavily on how the material is presented," explains Anna Barfyan. "The expert group designed a methodology that uses discussions, videos, and open exchange of ideas to not only impart knowledge but also encourage positive changes in students' attitudes and behavior. We hope the success of the 'Healthy Lifestyle' Club in Tavush serves as a model for all Armenian schools, fostering healthy and responsible habits among our students."
Arev Nersisyan, Principal of Berd School No. 3, has witnessed firsthand the impact of the "Healthy Lifestyle" Club. "It tackles crucial topics and equips students to face any situation and make informed decisions," she explains. "Compared to another subject I teach, like Biology, while not knowing the internal structure of a raindrop might not be life-changing, 'Healthy Lifestyle' equips them for the real tests – the emotional, physical, and social hurdles they'll face."
Arev Nersisyan notes that despite being scheduled last, when children might be hungry and tired, "participation is excellent. No one avoids it, they're genuinely interested. Even today's topic, covering AIDS, is highly relevant. It's no secret that returning migrant workers, due to a lack of basic knowledge, can bring families to ruins. This subject raises awareness. 'Healthy Lifestyle' is essential now, with internet access for everyone, where kids can find any information. But analyzing that information is crucial, and this club helps them do that with their teacher, providing competent guidance."
In Their Own Words: Tavush Students Share What Matters in "Healthy Lifestyle" Classes
Artyom Melikyan, 8th grade, Berd School No. 3: "We learn a lot of useful things here, like planning our day. In the evening, you think about what you should do tomorrow at this time. Of course, it doesn't always work out—other things come up—but it helps a lot. We also learn not to be indifferent. For example, once we saw others bullying a lone boy, and we helped him and explained to them that they did something wrong."
Valeria Asilbekyan, 8th grade, Artsvaberd Secondary School: "We were doing group work with an interesting name, 'Time eats me or I eat time.' We analyzed our day with classmates, and I discovered that time eats me (smiles). With the class's help, I started planning my day, and it helps a lot, especially with my other classes outside of school."
Ashot Sargsyan, 8th grade, Berd School No. 3: "We're trying to be kinder and live more ethically. You should imagine yourself in another person's situation and help them. We've also learned things like avoiding downed wires because they might be electrified, and other ways to stay healthy."
Marine, 8th grade, Artsvaberd Secondary School: "I was especially interested in lessons about infections and the harmful effects of tobacco. My aunt is a doctor, and I sometimes ask her if I don't understand something. We talk about school topics too."
Edita, 8th grade, Berd School No. 3: "The lessons are very interesting because they use slides, handouts, and videos followed by discussions. The atmosphere is friendly, and you can freely express your thoughts and opinions."
Gayane Vardazaryan, 8th grade, Choratan community: "I like the teacher's attitude the most. They don't show favoritism, listen to us, and don't insult anyone. If we get something wrong, they explain it again."
Sofi, 8th grade, Artsvaberd Secondary School: "We get to know each other better because the teacher asks questions, and we discuss and talk a lot."
Expanding Reach: New Ambassadors of "Healthy Lifestyle" Club
"Training of trainers" was carried out for scaling up the "Healthy Lifestyle" Club. Over 500 teachers applied, out of which 100 were selected as mentors and passed a six-day intensive course. Between October and November 2023, these dedicated individuals trained 1,000 teachers across Armenia, equipping them to deliver the "Healthy Lifestyle" curriculum.
Lusine Aleksanyan, speaking on the selection process, underscored the importance of choosing mentors who embodied the program's values. "Their personal commitment to a healthy lifestyle, their worldview, and their approach to the program's topics were all crucial," she explained. "Additionally, their enthusiasm for the innovative teaching methodology was key."
Tsovinar Harutyunyan, head of UNFPA Armenia, acknowledges the critical role teachers play in shaping student perception and engagement. "Mentors and teachers serve as channels for this valuable knowledge and skill set," she affirms. "UNFPA is proud to support these educational reforms and extends its profound gratitude to all the teachers who stepped forward. Through their dedication and hard work, we can expect a wave of positive behavioral changes in the upcoming generation, equipped with knowledge to make responsible and informed health choices."
Building a Network of "Healthy Lifestyle": Mentors and Teachers Share Their Stories
Arpine Hovhannisyan teaches in Hrazdan N1 and Tsaghkadzor secondary schools: “There is a need for this subject even in preschools. The new educational standards also require subject knowledge to be connected with life, and this club does just that. It teaches responsibility for oneself, to love and care not only for relatives and loved ones, but also for nature”.
Speaking about the ToT, Arpine Hovhannisyan says: "The training helped me to know and love the subject. The instructors of all the components were professionals in their field, and I honestly did not feel how the day was going. The new teaching methods they introduced to us were very interesting. Now I teach the students, and although everything is presented in detail and accessible in the manual, I am getting prepared before every lesson with great love."
Arpine Hovhannisyan trained more than fifty teachers as a mentor: “The difficulty was that there were many different specialists, from teachers of physical education, preliminary military classes, psychologists, and teachers of humanitarian subjects. Like us, they also had concerns at the beginning, many different questions, but together we tried to overcome all of that and we are still in daily contact," Arpine Hovhannisyan says and adds that she even organized a meeting with the parents on her own initiative. "With the agreement of the principal, I initiated a meeting with the parents. Since it is a new club, I wanted to present to the parents the subject, the importance, what topics we will cover and we agreed that we will also hold open classes so that the parents can also participate and see how the lessons are going."
"The biggest challenge was the diverse group of specialists," Arpine Hovhannisyan explains. "From physical, preliminary military education teachers to psychologists and educators of humanities subjects, everyone had initial concerns and questions. But through collaboration, we've conquered those concerns and remain in daily contact." Further demonstrating her commitment, she adds, "I even arranged a parent meeting with the principal's approval. Introducing them to the program's objectives, covered topics. We've even agreed to hold open classes so that the parents can also participate and see how the lessons are going."
Mihran Melkumyan, a teacher of Preliminary Military Training, was also trained as a mentor and provided training for teachers. He also is going to run the "Healthy Lifestyle" Club in Akunk secondary school of Kotayk region.
“Since I also worked as a trainer, I had prior knowledge of many materials included in the manual. The most important from the ToT was the new methodology that we were introduced and which I passed to the teachers as well."
Mihran Melkumyan notes that since the club is new, there are problems, especially in the framework of Healthy Nutrition classes, when the students have to cook themselves, and not all schools have canteens and areas to organize all that. However, as he says: "We are trying to find solutions. When we agreed to act as a mentor, I fully understood the scope of work and I do not avoid responsibility, because I believe that we are doing very correct and important work."
Lusine Harutyunyan is from Gyumri, she is one of the thousands of trained teachers who will start leading the club from January.
“A "healthy lifestyle" covers many areas, from food to behavior and parenting. We must do everything to make our speech accessible and understandable to every child, to send a literate, educated citizen from school to a big life. Everything starts from school: education, cognition, world perception. They were very well-trained mentors. We will be in touch with them during the classes, if we have any questions, we will definitely ask for their help."
