Students' protests in Yerevan supported by teachers

About 50 teachers of the Yerevan State University (YSU) went on strike in support of the students who oppose the initiative to make the study of the Armenian history, language and literature optional at non-humanitarian departments. The teachers have urged activists to discuss this issue without political speculation.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on November 4, the youth wing of the ARF "Dashnaktsutyun" Party demanded resignation of the Minister of Education Araik Arutyunyan. Some media outlets treated the protests as political action, but activists deny any political motive in their actions.

On November 13, about 50 university teachers expressed their solidarity with students by declaring a one-day strike. They believe that the problem of teaching optional disciplines should be discussed with the Minister of Education and Sciences.

At the same time, as the teachers noted, it is important to avoid any political speculations around this problem. They called on students to stop the strike.

Edik Minasyan, Dean of the History Department of the YSU, is sure that the exclusion of the Armenian language and literature, as well as the history of Armenia, from the university curriculum will be a serious blow to the patriotic education of the future generation.

The new government continues the policy of their predecessors and neglect the importance of humanitarian disciplines, Edward Militonyan, the head of the Writers' Union, has stated.

The protests will not stop until the problem is resolved, Gor Sargsyan, a member of the youth wing of the ARF "Dashnaktsutyun" Party, has declared.