YEREVAN. – The Armenian National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday passed, on first reading—and with a vote of 87 for, 5 against, and 20 abstentions—, the bill on granting tax and customs privileges to Dilijan International School.

Prior to the voting, however, opposition Armenian National Congress bloc NA Faction Secretary Aram Manukyan stated that this bill needs to be amended considerably before the second reading.

On behalf of the opposition ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party NA Faction, its leader Armen Rustamyan announced that the faction will abstain from the vote.        

Opposition Heritage Party NA Faction leader Ruben Hakobyan noted that the proposals by the “We are against the reopening of foreign language schools” initiative need to be considered.   

Non-pro-government Prosperous Armenia Party NA Faction Secretary Naira Zohrabyan likewise stated that the suggestions by the aforesaid initiative should be taken into account. 

To note, the “We are against the reopening of foreign language schools” initiative is against the opening of schools like Dilijan International School. The initiative members note that Armenian children in Armenia should solely be educated in Armenian, but simultaneously be taught two or more foreign languages.