The Public Council is against creation of foreign language schools in Armenia

YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS: The Public Council is against creation of foreign language schools in Armenia. Chairman of the Public Council Vazgen Manukyan called upon the Armenian government at the meeting with the reporters to recall the bill on creation of foreign language schools.

“The Public council discussed the issue on creation of foreign language schools and a decision has been made that the approaches presented in the bill do not correspond to the state interests. It is necessary to find other way,” V. Manukyan said. He suggested creating Sunday schools, where the children may study certain subjects in English. V. Manukyan noted that there are countries where the basic education in foreign language schools is being implemented in mother language and non-obligatory subjects in foreign language.

“The viewpoints are being voiced that local rich Armenians send their children to study abroad and if foreign schools exist in Armenia they will stay here. This phenomenon always existed and is specific only to our nation. For a part of rich people it is an increase of authority, opportunity to be seen good in the eyes of society. They do not need learning chemistry or physics in English,” V. Manukyan said.

The chairman of the Public Council suggests developing schools of the republic and increase the quality of education. According to him, for Armenian the education system is as important as the army. It was mentioned many times that it is very important when a child receives basic education in the mother language and then learns foreign languages.

Vazgen Manukyan reminded that in not far past there were Russian schools in Armenia where Armenian children were studying. The 90% of graduates of those schools do not know the history of the Armenian people and had issue of writing in Armenian language. According to him, education is not only giving knowledge, it also forms character.