Leader of the party: youth party of Armenia is for the opening of foreign language schools
17.06.2010,
02:35
Opening of foreign language schools in Armenia is an important factor in the development of the country, said Vahan Babayan, Leader of the Youth Party of Armenia during the press-conference on Wednesday.
YEREVAN, June 16. /ARKA/. Opening of foreign language schools in Armenia is an important factor in the development of the country, said Vahan Babayan, Leader of the Youth Party of Armenia during the press-conference on Wednesday.
Draft law of the government on making changes and amendments in the laws “On Language” and “On General Education” on opening foreign language schools in Armenia arouse a large resonance among the society. A number of political parties and NGOs were against the draft law considering that it can damage national identity.
“Armenians being a small nation and having small resources should have a good knowledge of foreign languages. It is necessary for the development of economy, tourism, trade, culture and diplomacy”, he said.
“It will be sad that the new generation would not know any language except Armenian. I think that this draft law is not a problem. Studying foreign language is the problem of general education”, said Babayan.
The main problem is Russian language.
“During 70 years of USSR Russian language was mandatory for everybody and Armenian identity did not suffer from it. All this panic is groundless”, said Babayan.
According to the draft law, maximum 15 foreign language schools can operate in Armenia, from which eight in Yerevan. The number of schools studying the same language can not exceed five.
Foreign language education is allowed only in private schools and institutions established on the basis of inter-state and inter-departmental agreements. Study of Armenian language and literature in foreign language schools is mandatory.
Currently, there are more than 1 450 schools in Armenia, including two Russian schools. But in these schools only Russian citizens and not Armenians by origin can study in these schools. --0--
Draft law of the government on making changes and amendments in the laws “On Language” and “On General Education” on opening foreign language schools in Armenia arouse a large resonance among the society. A number of political parties and NGOs were against the draft law considering that it can damage national identity.
“Armenians being a small nation and having small resources should have a good knowledge of foreign languages. It is necessary for the development of economy, tourism, trade, culture and diplomacy”, he said.
“It will be sad that the new generation would not know any language except Armenian. I think that this draft law is not a problem. Studying foreign language is the problem of general education”, said Babayan.
The main problem is Russian language.
“During 70 years of USSR Russian language was mandatory for everybody and Armenian identity did not suffer from it. All this panic is groundless”, said Babayan.
According to the draft law, maximum 15 foreign language schools can operate in Armenia, from which eight in Yerevan. The number of schools studying the same language can not exceed five.
Foreign language education is allowed only in private schools and institutions established on the basis of inter-state and inter-departmental agreements. Study of Armenian language and literature in foreign language schools is mandatory.
Currently, there are more than 1 450 schools in Armenia, including two Russian schools. But in these schools only Russian citizens and not Armenians by origin can study in these schools. --0--
