29 Armenian educational establishments work in Iran

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS: Twenty-nine Armenian educational establishments work in Iran, the majority of which are in Tehran. An official from the Department of Armenian Communities of the Near and Middle East of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry told Armenpress that the number of the attendees of Armenian schools are gradually decreasing, its main reason is emigration, as a result of which the schools either close or are joined with Armenian schools. And the Iranian-Armenians mainly emigrate to the USA.

Nearly 50-60 thousand Armenians live currently in Iran, the majority – in Tehran. The Armenian Diaspora Ministry provides books to Armenian educational establishments of Iran, involves Iranian young people in programs organized by the ministry and organizes trainings of teachers in Armenia; 9 teachers passed here training last year.

There are not national minorities in Iran, the Armenians, Azoreans and Jewish are recognized as religious minorities. According to the Department of Armenian Communities of the Near and Middle East of the Armenian Diaspora Ministry, it is the Armenians that have the largest opportunities in Iran. There are a dozen of churches, the majority of which are working, and the Iranian government does its best for preservation of Armenian churches.