A 12.8% reduction in the education and science budget is planned for next year as compared with this year – 95bn AMD against 108bn AMD respectively, RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan told reporters.

It should be noted that the comparison deals with the actually executed 2009 budget, otherwise a 24.7% reduction would be in question – the most substantial reduction in financing.

The Minister reported the reason for the reduced financing of the education system — 19,600 less students next year than this year.

The Minister stated that the reduction in financing will not affect teachers’ salaries. Primary schools will be provided with free textbooks. A total of 120m AMD will be allocated for free textbooks for children from socially vulnerable families. The financing of Armenian science will not actually be reduced.

The 2010 defense budget will be reduced by 20%, and the public health budget by 17%.