EMBASSIES REFRAIN FROM THE QUESTION OF ESTABLISHING FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCHOOLS IN ARMENIA
July 16 2014
“We want to express our satisfaction with the teaching of French
language at schools in Armenia,” such a general response was given
by French Ambassador, Henri Reynaud, again without deviating from his
“diplomatic rules,” to the question of Aravot.am of whether the French
Embassy is ready to be refrained from participating in establishment of
foreign language schools for ethnic Armenian schoolchildren in Armenia,
and in support projects. As we know, “We are against Foreign Language
Schools” initiative group issued a statement, which particularly
reads as follows, “We apply to foreign countries’ governments
and organizations to refrain from participating in establishment
of foreign language schools for ethnic Armenian schoolchildren in
Armenia, also in support projects. Instead, once again, we call on
improvement of education system in Armenian language schools. This
would be a very grateful task, because providing quality education
accessible to everyone, without any discrimination, is a prerequisite
for any developed country. No less important is the fact that it
would greatly maintain and promote the security and development of
Armenian language.” With this regard, in response to our question,
the French Embassy was amazed. The ambassador, the interpreter and
the media specialist mentioned in surprise that they are unaware of
it. Aravot.am sent given question in written to almost all embassies
in Armenia. We received the following response from Lilit Kalantaryan,
Communication Officer at the British Embassy, “For your information,
the British Embassy, in the course of its projects and activities,
has repeatedly supported and is supporting the improvement of the
educational system in Armenia. Particularly, the British Council
programs enable English language teachers from many more schools
to be trained and improve their skills. And most importantly, our
contribution over these years was the heating system repair at the
school named after Lord Byron in Gyumri, as well as continuous and
direct support to school’s educational programs.
Therefore, we inform you that the British Embassy, on behalf of the
British government, implements numerous projects in public schools
of Armenia.” Answering the question of whether the British Embassy is
ready to be refrained from participating in establishment of foreign
language schools for ethnic Armenian schoolchildren, also in support
projects, Lilith Kalantaryan mentioned. “As for the international
schools, they are private, and provide diversity in any the country’s
educational system, as well as enables people to choose.”
Tatev HARUTYUNYAN
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