Children’s Spotlight of the Week: Mariam Papoyan – The Girl Redesigning Education for the 21st Century

From a young age, Mariam was taught that through education, she could change her country for the better. But what she didn’t expect was that it would be her struggles, not just her strengths, in school that would ignite her journey into advocacy and reform.

Mariam’s challenge began in high school, when she started to feel unmotivated and disconnected from an education system rooted in rote memorization and rigid structure. Rather than being treated as individuals, students were taught in ways that ignored their differences in background, learning styles, and interests. “It’s like testing a fish and an elephant by making them climb a tree,” she said, powerfully illustrating the injustice of one-size-fits-all education.

But instead of staying silent, Mariam chose to speak up.

While still in the 11th grade, she wrote about her educational experiences on a young reporters’ website. Her bold ideas soon caught attention. Then came a life-changing invitation: to speak at TEDxYerevan for UNICEF on World Children’s Day, in front of Armenia’s President, top government officials, CEOs, and more than 100 children. There, she challenged the system and demanded reform, highlighting how schools must equip students with 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity skills necessary for a thriving, democratic society.

Her words were more than inspiring, they were transformative. Her school immediately responded by launching a school-wide survey and installing a suggestion box called “Change or Conform,” empowering students to share ideas and solutions. Mariam had sparked change, not just in policy, but in mindset.

Today, Mariam is studying Political Science and International Relations at Yerevan State University, preparing for a career in policy-making for development. She continues her advocacy, focusing on student-centered learning, children’s rights, and educational neuroscience.

She is proof that one voice, when brave enough to speak up, can shift conversations, move institutions, and shape futures.