Facebook discusses expediency of opening foreign language schools in Armenia

The Facebook social network carries out questioning: "Do you agree with existence of foreign language schools in Armenia?" Members split up into two camps.

At present 8223 persons took part in the voting, including 4407 persons voted "yes" and 3816 persons – "no".

The main argument of the supporters of foreign language schools is the fact that national schools restrict children and make them uncompetitive.

The opponents of the draft law on amendments and addenda to the Laws "On Language" and "On General Education", suggesting opening of foreign language schools, fear that the child can grow up in unpatriotic environment.

Discussion is held mainly around the Russian-language schools. Many bloggers write that ten years spent in a Russian school gave them no possibility to fully "merge" with their native literature and history.

Vadim Oganyan, PhD of Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor and Senior Researcher at the Department of Theoretical Physics of the Yerevan State University (YSU), believes that education on an alternative language enriches society.

"Today Armenia has close relations with Russia and with the Russian-speaking countries in general; so I think that in this respect it is important to improve the state of the Russian language in society," concludes Mr Oganyan.

Journalist Gayane Mirzoyan did not participate in the voting. She thinks that this action looks like a "friend/foe" division rather than a healthy discussion.