Parliament approves bills allowing re-opening of foreign-languages schools in Armenia

Armenia's parliament today amended the Law on Language and the Law on Public Education in the second reading.

In an extraordinary session today, the National Assembly voted 69-1, with no abstentions, for the adoption of the amendments which provide for a re-opening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.

The government came up with the initiative of introducing amendments to these laws in summer, sparking discontent in the Armenian society over re-opening of foreign-language schools.

Opponents of the initiative even formed an advocacy group called "We are against Re-Opening of Foreign-Language Schools" to coordinate the activities aimed at preventing the parliament from adopting the amendments.

Prior to the vote, Vahan Hovhannisyan, the leader of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D) faction in parliament, called on MPs not to take part in the voting.

"My friends, I think there is no need to once again present our arguments. Don't vote at all … I advise you not to vote on this initiative," said Hovhannisyan.

Stepan Safaryan, the head of Heritage party's faction in parliament, in turn, asked to be given the floor, but the chairman said he could not as he had already announced about the vote.