Wednesday, May 25, 2022
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
NEWSLETTER
ՀԱՅ
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
ՀԱՅ
No Result
View All Result

Armenian Parliament Passes Foreign-Language School Bill

by Asbarez Staff
June 24, 2010
in Armenia, Featured Story, News, Top Stories
11
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


YEREVAN (RFE/RL)–The Armenian government pushed through parliament on Thursday its controversial legal amendments allowing the existence of foreign-language schools in the country.
The National Assembly adopted them in the first reading by 71 votes to 13, with one abstention, amid continuing protests staged outside the parliament building by the most vocal opponents of the measure.
A leader of the assembly’s pro-government majority indicated that the authorities will not rush to have the bill adopted in the second and final reading and are ready to make additional changes in it.
Galust Sahakian, a senior deputy from the ruling Republican Party of Armenia, told RFE/RL’s Armenian service that the final parliamentary debates on the issue will not take place before this autumn. The government and parliament majority are ready to consider “new proposals” from all “interested parties,” he said.
“The key thing is not to harm our native language and the linguistic mentality of Armenian children but at the same time to make sure we can integrate into the world’s educational systems,” said Sahakian.
The government has already twice watered down the amendments to Armenian laws on public education and language in the face of fierce criticism from opposition groups, prominent intellectuals and other public figures who regard them as a serious threat to Armenia’s sole official language.
The current version of the bill allows only two full-fledged foreign-language schools in the country. They must be privately owned and located in two resort towns.
Despite these and other restrictions, the parliament’s two opposition factions representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Heritage Party voted against the bill. Their representatives stood by their demands that the government make no changes in the language.
They insisted that a limited number of foreign-language schools can operate in Armenia even without such changes. The ARF’s Artsvik Minasian said the language law, which upholds Armenian’s dominant status, must be kept intact for national security considerations.
Sahakian hinted that the government might accept such a compromise solution.
Meanwhile, about 100 people demonstrating outside the parliament building reacted furiously to the vote results, chanting “71 traitors!” and “Anti-National Assembly!” “They are now touching the Armenian language,” cried one woman. “This is the end of the Armenian nation.”
“We will continue to fight against these ignorant people,” said another protester. “They only think about business.”
Armen Hovannisian, a leader of a broad-based pressure group that organized the protest, brushed aside the changes made in the legislative package and vowed to continue to campaign against it. “They will feel the growing power of civil resistance on their skin every day,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian service, referring to the authorities. “We are going to unite all sound forces of the society, regardless of their political views.”
“In Armenia, education for Armenians must be only in Armenian,” he added.
The protesters booed and jeered pro-government lawmakers that voted for the bill as the latter came out of the building moments later. They also confronted two opposition deputies that showed up too late for the parliament vote.
“You can be late if your vote doesn’t decide anything,” one of the deputies, Vartan Khachatrian, told the crowd.

Asbarez Staff

Asbarez Staff

Next Post

Rep. Mark Kirk Condemns Azeri Assault on Karabakh

Comments 11

  1. Arman says:
    12 years ago

    Ես չեմ տեսնում Հայ մնալու նպատակը: Պայքարը նպատակ չունի այլևս: Հայ մնալը նպատակ չունի այլևս: Հայաստան ունենալը նպատակ չունի այլևս: Ես վերջնական հույսըս կտրեցի Հայաստանից և ՀՅԴ-ից: Խիստ հիասթափված եմ ՀՅԴ-ից, չէի սպասում սրան: Թող Աստված պահպանի այս ազգի:

    Reply
    • areg minasyan says:
      12 years ago

      Arman,
      Stay strong like our mountains. Armenians will overcome this one also.

      Reply
  2. Ruby says:
    12 years ago

    I wonder if there are countries who have schools like that and if there is please let us know.
    Why would they open schools like that for only a small number of students why don’t they try to upgrade the existing schools and add the foreign language courses in the same Armenian Schools?

    Reply
  3. Ghazaros says:
    12 years ago

    Today, many Diasporans no longer speak Armenian, having assimilated into their mainstream societies. Those who still speak it and/or taught their offspring to speak it made a concerted effort to do so. It did not simply happen by chance. It is no secret that the Western Armenian runs the risk of extinction.
    It is with great sadness in America that I’ve observed newer arrivals from Armenia speak to their offspring exclusively in English. Any host culture’s language will be omnipresent in that society and can easily be learned and spoken. Can the same be said of a mother tongue from a foreign land that is shrinking in size by the decade? With the introduction of foreign language schools in Armenia, will the disappearance of Eastern Armenian and the cultural values that accompany a language follow suit? It is ALSO no secret that Western based initiatives operating in/servicing Armenia teach Armenian youth to abandon their so-called backwater culture to follow a Western model that is presented as more sophisticated.
    How many more native Armenian graduate students do I have to encounter who, through entrepreneurial programs abroad (such as Soros), returned to Armenia to open restaurant-casinos with back rooms reserved for prostitution and who proudly crow that they’ve become success stories by embracing Western values? If the powers that be wish to continue weakening and threatening the very existence of Armenia, they could not have found a better way to do it than to introduce foreign language schools.

    Reply
  4. manooshag says:
    12 years ago

    Hye, in diaspora we also have families who speak Armenian at home (English outside of home), attend the Armenian church, also have the children attending Armenian classes on Saturdays… and even have many Armenian Day Schools. Also, Armenian camping in the summers. But yet, if there is a lack of knowledge the Armenian language, there is the Internet, which still connects those of Armenian heritage and also have an interest in Hai Tad (Armenian Cause). I know of some who are 1/2 Armenian, cannot speak Armenian, are activists – at times more dedicated than full fledged Armenians… So, don’t jump to conclusions… the Internet brings so many many more of the dedicated to Hai Tad.- the world over!
    Also, are all the countries of Europe, France, Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, are all these nations
    intent in unlearning their ‘mother tongue’?? It makes sense to learn many languages, even the Turkish language (Turks are learning Armenian now). It does not make sense to UNlearn our ‘mother tongue’!
    That is absolutely unArmenian!! Here in the USA we all learn English, and if we choose, so many other languages, including Chinese, but knowing the English – the mother tongue…Manooshag

    Reply
  5. areg minasyan says:
    12 years ago

    Shame on the traitor Serzh Sargsyan.. He is behind all this mess. The Armenians should ask for his resignation.

    Reply
  6. Armen Hovannisian says:
    12 years ago

    We have no leaders, just activists and supporters

    Reply
  7. Vacheh says:
    12 years ago

    Dear Arman,
    Even though this event is sad and against our traditional views, it is now done and you and I cannot change it. The oligarchs and their appointed members of parliament can pass any law that they wish these days. It appears that there is no one to stop them. These incompetent people instead of focusing on defense related issues (e.g. Azeri forces attacked us a week ago), are waisting the country’s budget on such issues which are backward and harmful.
    Our nation has many serious external and internal problems on its shoulder to solve, which we should not allow these bustards to discourage or derail us. We will push forward and when the time and circumstances are right, our hard working people will sweep these “davajans” aside and open the door for the progress of our country and values.
    For the time being let us make a negative note in our books on their behalf as what they did, until we get back to them at the right time and at the right place. They will be treated in the same manner that Vahe Ihsan and Hamayak Aramiants were treated.

    Reply
  8. «Մենք դեմ ենք օտարալեզու դպրոցների վերաբացմանը» նախաձեռնող խումբ says:
    12 years ago

    ՀՀ Ազգային Ժողովը 2010 թ. հունիսի 24-ին առաջին ընթերցմամբ քվեարկեց «Լեզվի մասին» և «Հանրակրթության մասին» օրենքներում փոփոխությունների`
    Կառավարության ազգադավ նախագծի օգտին` 71 կողմ, 13 դեմ և 1 ձեռնպահ հարաբերակցությամբ: Սա կատարվեց Սուրբ թարգմանիչներ Սահակի և Մեսրոպի տոնի օրը Անկախության հռչակագիրընդունած դահլիճում: Այս կապակցությամբ «Մենք դեմ ենք օտարալեզու դպրոցների վերաբացմանը» քաղաքացիական շարժումը`
    ա. վերահաստատում է իր սկզբունքները և վճռականությունը` կանխելու ապազգային և հակասահմանադրական ձեռնարկումները,
    բ. հայտարարում է պայքարի նոր փուլ թևակոխելու մասին,
    գ. առաջիկա համաժողովի ընթացքում, որի մասին կհայտարարվի լրացուցիչ, կընդունի համազգային կոչ, և կներկայացնի հետագա գործողությունները,
    դ. կոչ է անում բոլոր ուժերին և շահագրգիռ անհատներին եռանդով միանալ մեր աշխատանքներին` ընդհանուր մոտեցումների ձևավորմանը մասնակից լինելու լայն հնարավորությամբ:
    Խնդրում ենք փոխանցել մեզ ձեր առաջարկները և շարժմանը մասնակցելու ձեր նախընտրելի ձևաչափը:
    «Մենք դեմ ենք օտարալեզու դպրոցների վերաբացմանը» նախաձեռնող խումբ
    հեռ. 099 24 44 92, 091 20 82 69
    էլ-փոստ. info@nochangeinlanguagelaw.org
    կայքեր. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=112426852127161&ref=ts
    http://www.nochangeinlanguagelaw.org

    Reply
  9. hye says:
    12 years ago

    not just two schools!!!!!

    Reply
  10. hye says:
    12 years ago

    you are absolutely right Ruby, and there you go
    http://www.schools.ac/cgi-bin/navlink.cgi?linkid=27

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Artsakh Parliament to Take Up Bill on ‘Occupied Territories’

Artsakh Parliament Baffled by European Leader’s ‘Distortion’ of Karabakh Settlement Process

22 hours ago
ANCA Colorado Endorses Colorado Governor Jared Polis for Reelection 

ANCA Colorado Endorses Colorado Governor Jared Polis for Reelection 

22 hours ago

Connect with us

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

Accessibility

Accessibility modes

Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.

Online Dictionary

    Readable Experience

    Content Scaling
    Default
    Text Magnifier
    Readable Font
    Dyslexia Friendly
    Highlight Titles
    Highlight Links
    Font Sizing
    Default
    Line Height
    Default
    Letter Spacing
    Default
    Left Aligned
    Center Aligned
    Right Aligned

    Visually Pleasing Experience

    Dark Contrast
    Light Contrast
    Monochrome
    High Contrast
    High Saturation
    Low Saturation
    Adjust Text Colors
    Adjust Title Colors
    Adjust Background Colors

    Easy Orientation

    Mute Sounds
    Hide Images
    Virtual Keyboard
    Reading Guide
    Stop Animations
    Reading Mask
    Highlight Hover
    Highlight Focus
    Big Dark Cursor
    Big Light Cursor
    Navigation Keys

    Asbarez.com Accessibility Statement

    Accessibility Statement

    • asbarez.com
    • May 25, 2022

    Compliance status

    We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

    To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

    This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

    Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

    If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email

    Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

    Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

    1. Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

      These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

    2. Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.

      Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Disability profiles supported in our website

    • Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
    • Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
    • Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
    • ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
    • Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
    • Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

    1. Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
    2. Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
    3. Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
    4. Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
    5. Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
    6. Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
    7. Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

    Browser and assistive technology compatibility

    We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and for MAC users.

    Notes, comments, and feedback

    Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to