Forget About Renaissance of Russian Schools, Says Education Minister

Armenia's Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan unveiled at a press conference today the government-backed amendments to the "Law about Language," still to be approved by the National Assembly of Armenia.

Having kicked up various reactions in the Armenian society and mostly deemed as unpopular this bill envisages the opening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.

According to Ashotyan as soon as the amendments are approved, one percent (15 schools) of Armenian schools will be foreign-language of which 8 will open in the capital city of Yerevan. The rest 7 will open up in marzes (province).

"There can only be 5 schools with the same language. There will not be an era of renaissance for Russian language schools," said Ashotyan.

The scale and mode of the teaching of Armenological subjects at these schools will remain the same as they are now in the Armenian-language public schools.

"Armenian language, Literature, History of Armenian People, History of Armenian Religion will with the same scale remain as components of the curriculum," said Ashotyan, adding that Armenian children can attend these schools beginning from the fifth form.

Ashotyan also mentioned that these foreign-language schools will not be state-sponsored but rather will be sponsored by NGOs and by the public sector.