On July 10, the YSU Pedagogy and Education Development Center hosted a summer school titled "How to Raise a Happy Generation." Naira Daluzyan, Director of Ayb Dilijan Central School, delivered the keynote speech, highlighting modern educational approaches that foster children’s academic, social, and creative growth. The event brought together experts, PhD students, and representatives from organizations such as the National Center for Professional Education Quality Assurance and Teach for Armenia, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The Director of YSU Pedagogy and Education Development Center, Professor N. Harutyunyan, welcomed the attendees and the keynote speaker, emphasizing the relevance and importance of the topic in today’s educational system. He also highlighted Naira Daluzyan’s professional achievements, noting her as a distinguished specialist in her field and an alumna of the "Educational Management" master's program.
In her presentation, speaker Naira Daluzyan explored the phenomenon of a child’s happiness through theoretical perspectives and insights drawn from her extensive pedagogical experience. According to her, Ayb Dilijan Central School is a vivid example of a modern approach and new quality in education in Armenia. The school’s mission extends beyond delivering knowledge — it aims to nurture a generation that is happy, proactive, creative, and confident.
The school's core values include independent thinking, creativity, the development of a collaborative environment, and a personalized approach to every student. N. Daluzyan emphasized that at Ayb, academic achievement is not the sole focus — emotional, spiritual, and social development are equally prioritized. Every student is seen as an autonomous individual, whose happiness and well-being are prioritized.
N. Daluzyan identified the foundation for raising a happy generation as the creation of a supportive, respectful, and encouraging educational environment — one in which the teaching process is a synthesis of collaboration, support, and creativity. She also stressed the crucial role of the arts in building such a creative educational setting, noting that the arts help children discover themselves, activate their inner resources, communicate more effectively, and develop as creative individuals.
She particularly highlighted the importance of creative problem-solving, discussions, and project-based learning in fostering children’s emotional, academic, and social growth. According to Daluzyan, Ayb School encourages students to think not only about their personal success but also about the development of their communities, country, and homeland. Students are actively involved in volunteer, environmental, and cultural initiatives.
Following the keynote, an open discussion took place, during which participants shared professional insights on pedagogical challenges related to children’s happiness, identified key issues, and explored potential solutions.
At the conclusion of the event, Professor Harutyunyan praised Daluzyan’s presentation as engaging, rich in content, and marked by unique approaches and solutions. She emphasized that Ayb Dilijan Central School places a strong focus on the mission of shaping a happy, creative, and responsible generation. This approach, she noted, provides children with a solid foundation for leading successful and fulfilling lives. The issues raised during the discussion were highly relevant and added depth to the conversation, as they addressed challenges that must be openly discussed, studied through cause-and-effect analysis, and resolved — all contributing to the effectiveness of the process of raising a happy generation.
