YEREVAN. – Narine Dilbaryan, a lecturer at the Chair of Armenian Language at Yerevan State University (YSU), read the statement by the general assembly of the YSU Faculties of Armenian Philology and History.

As per the statement, the overwhelming majority of the lecturers of these faculties expresses its solidarity with the current student movement in support of compulsory teaching of the subjects of Armenian History, Armenian Language, and Armenian Literature at the non-specialized faculties of universities; announces a one-day cautionary strike in solidarity as a step towards unity; anticipates and expects an urgent discussion of this issue; and urges the students to stop the boycotting of classes.

Students from the YSU Faculties of Armenian Philology and History oppose the Education, Science, Culture and Sports Ministry's Higher Education bill, which proposes making optional at non-specialized faculties of universities the teaching of Armenian History, Armenian Language, and Armenian Literature subjects that are now mandatory. They have been boycotting classes since November 6, demanding the resignation of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Minister Arayik Harutyunyan, to revise this controversial point in the bill, and have also started a signature campaign.

Arayik Harutyunyan had announced that he was not going to resign.