The Armenian government has introduced amendments to existing legislation, allowing for the faster initiation of construction projects for schools and kindergartens using state budget funds. The Urban Development Committee announced that this initiative will streamline the approval process, reducing project startup times by 1-2 months.
The new legislation allows for concurrent environmental and urban development examinations, expediting projects aimed at fulfilling the government’s program to build 300 schools and 500 kindergartens. However, this approach has raised concerns over resource management efficiency and potential corruption risks within the Urban Development Committee. Observers question whether the current approach will ensure optimal use of resources and transparency, particularly in projects impacting educational infrastructure.
With a 15-day approval period for construction permits, the amended law aims to align with Armenia’s broader educational goals. However, some experts argue that without a robust oversight mechanism, the accelerated timeline might not fully guarantee effective governance and resource allocation in the long term.