Russian has the status of a foreign language in Armenia, but it has always been a compulsory language in the Armenian educational system. Since this year, changes are introduced in Armenian schools. Some experts believe that everything is going to systematically reduce the teaching of Russian language.
In Armenia, new state educational standards for schools will come into force in the 2024-2025 academic year. Back in the summer, the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport sent a circular to all schools regarding the teaching of foreign languages.
In the state standard, Russian is still the first and mandatory foreign language. But the circular is different: for a number of classes of educational institutions Russian language has been transferred from the status of basic (compulsory) to the status of a foreign language (at choice). At the same time, two hours per week are allocated for each foreign language.
That is, “Russian language” as an independent discipline remained only in grades 4, 9 (three hours per week), 11 and 12 (two hours per week). There is no separate subject “Russian language” for pupils in grades 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. There is “Foreign Language 1” and “Foreign Language 2”. This has misled principals of educational institutions and puzzled Russians.
Principals of a number of schools ambiguously perceived this instruction and distributed the hours between foreign languages “the old-fashioned way”. According to the circular, they have the right to distribute the hours allocated for teaching languages and to decide which one to give preference to.
A number of Russians in conversation with us expressed concern about the “edits” in the circular. In particular, they believe that if not this year, then in the next few years, the hours allocated to the Russian language will be reduced or eliminated from the school program altogether.
The Russian House told us that they also receive calls from concerned school principals with whom they have a long-standing partnership.
“We understand their concerns, but we cannot comment on the decisions made by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia,” they told reporters.
Due to geographical proximity to Russia, economic and extensive family ties, many citizens will still have to work with Russians. In this regard, the question is, these next anti-Russian actions will do more harm to whom in the end? It is certain that Armenians will suffer more.
In response to Sputnik Armenia’s inquiry, the Armenian Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport confirmed that in accordance with the July 27, 2023 order of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, the educational process in grades 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 is organized according to the general education state standards, based on the new requirements for subjects and programs.
In his turn, education expert Serob Khachatryan noted that he sees no problems with the language. Talking to Sputnik Armenia, he explained that changing the name of the subject in the curriculum does not mean removing the subject “Russian language” from the educational program in schools.
“According to the state educational standard, only one foreign language is taught in schools from the second grade, and that is Russian. From 3rd to 12th grades – two foreign languages, of which one is Russian,” Khachatryan said.
According to him, the wording “Foreign Language 1” and “Foreign Language 2” in the curriculum does not mean that schools can remove the Russian language altogether, replacing it with another foreign language.
The expert explains that the state standard is higher than the curriculum, and according to it, the educational discipline “Russian language” is mandatory.
In turn, bloggers from the emigrant environment supported such a legislative initiative of Armenia, interpreting it as another step towards “decolonization”. In particular, they emphasize that “the USSR has long ago collapsed” and wonder “why Armenia needs the Russian language”. At the same time, anti-Russian commentators did not miss the opportunity to reproach Russia with “imperial chauvinism”. They stated that “Armenia is a sovereign country” and it is up to the authorities to decide what languages to learn, just like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others.
3,703 total views, 2 views today
