Protesters oppose re-opening of foreign-language schools

The activists of "We are against the re-opening of foreign-language schools" have gathered today outside the government building to protest against the amendments to the laws on language and on public education, which envisage the re-opening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.

Dozens of activists are holding up slogans reading "Republican Party – Enemy of the Nation", "Language is not Equity for Debt", "Law on the Language is Immune", "Language, school, clear air" etc.

Environmentalists have also joined the protesters.

"We don't need foreign-language schools to learn how speak a foreign languages," film director and member of Sardarapat movemet Tigran Khzmalyan told Tert.am.

He said such a step might polarizе the society, leading to the formation of a fake 'elite'.

"Those marionettes distinguish themselves from ordinary people, trying to ensure for themselves a 'top-class' education, medical care, food and rest-houses, thus creating an alternative country within a contry. We consider it dangerous," he added.

Politician Karapet Rubinyan, who was also participating in the protest, said that the issue of re-opening foreign-language schools had sparked debates back in the 1990s.

"Such mayhem was provoked by foreign interests and our authorities' insanity," he said, adding that the experience of having foreign language schools in the Soviet times had produced negative consequences.

The parliament will discuss the amendments in its extraordinary session this week.