On June 24, by 71 to 12, with 3 abstentions, the RA Parliament approved, in the first reading, the much-talked-of draft amendments to the RA laws “On language” and “On general education”. The amendments provide for the opening of foreign-language schools in Armenia.

Members of the opposition factions, Heritage and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), voted against the draft.

A number of picketers met the MPs in front of the Parliament. They gathered to voice their protest against the bill.

The bill removes the ban on the attendance of foreign-language schools by ethnic Armenians residing in Armenia. The ban was imposed early in 1990s.

If the bills are adopted and signed by the President, 11 foreign-language schools – mostly Russian-language ones - will be opened in Armenia. Armenia has to date been the only CIS member-country where the law prohibits ethnic Armenians from attending Russian schools. Certain restrictions will, however, be in effect. Specifically, Armenian language, literature and history will follow the curriculum of Armenian-language schools. Also, elementary education at foreign-language schools will be in Armenian.