Dreams of independence generation unclear
This year, nearly 260 children from the Hadrut region of Nagorno-Karabakh will be in the first grade. They have free textbooks, backpacks and accessories thanks to the RA and NKR governments, as well as Diaspora Armenian benefactors.
Principal of the middle school in the Aknaghbyur village of 150 families, Lira Asryan says whereas the school used to have 80-90 students a year, now there are only 55-60 children, and only two children will be in the first grade this year.
The principal says the reason why there are fewer students is because many villagers prefer to settle in the center of the region or in Stepanakert.
Resident of the neighboring Ughtadzor village, 13-year old Armen studies at the school after president of the first Supreme Council of the Republic of Artsakh, Artur Mkrtchyan. He has decided to be an astrologer after graduating from school. Armen's classmate Grisha ‘sees himself painting, and Harutyun is sure that he will become a military pilot.
Tenth grader from Togh village located 10 km away from Hadrut, Shoghine Poghosyan takes pride in the heroic past of her village, which was the residence of the meliks of Dizak in the 18th century.
"I live in a wonderful place. I have visited many places, and have even gone on a concert tour with my choir to Yerevan, but perhaps there is some kind of magnetic field in our village that keeps me coming back with pleasure."
Although she is connected to the village, that connection doesn't stop her from thinking of leaving the village after graduating from school. She would like to go to Stepanakert or Yerevan to continue her studies at the Conservatory or the philology faculty of another university.
"After that, I might or might not return to the village. My uncle and his family live in Moscow. If they find a job for me, I might move to Moscow if my father lets me," Shogine says.
