Everything is being shut down, and village populations are declining – Syunik residents

In the Syunik communities of Darbas, Getatagh, Lor, and Shenatagh, local schools are being merged—soon there will be only one. During a survey conducted in Lor, residents noted that the village population is declining.

“Everything is being shut down, the number of villagers is shrinking, and obviously there will be issues with schoolchildren,” said one respondent.

When asked about plans to preserve the school, one Syunik resident replied, “What kind of plan could we have? All we ask is to keep the school open.”

“For years—during the Soviet era, before it, and especially now—Lor has been home to people who value education and culture. Syunik residents have always held high the poetry of Lor native Hamo Sahyan and the standards of cultural and educational recognition,” said another respondent, adding that the people of Lor do not welcome the school merger.