"Language is Not Property Instead of Debt:" Activists Protest against Re-opening Foreign-Language Schools

"We are Against the Opening of Foreign-Language Schools" civil initiative held a rally this morning in front of the sessions hall in the Government Building as the National Assembly was preparing for its last four-day session of this season when it will among other issues discuss also the government-backed draft to make amendments to the "Law about Public Education."

If approved that bill will make it possible the re-opening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.

Earlier on Friday NA Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport had given its consent to include it in this coming parliamentary four-day agenda.

The protesters held posters that read "Language is Not Property Instead of Debt," "In Favor? Then Get Out of Here," "We Require Ashotyan's Resignation," "Only Armenian Can Compete with Armenian."

Later they handed the package of their proposals to MPs as they were entering the session hall. Some even welcomed the MPs with exclamations.

Interestingly, the police did not hinder the protesters' actions but rather urged on them to keep the hall entry free.

The organizers, in turn, distributed to the MPs their 4-point requirements, including those about leaving out the draft from the parliamentary agenda, holding hearings over it, and the issue to what extent is it expedient that Armen Ashotyan remain in office as Armenia's Minister of Education and Science.