Education Minister Defends Religious Education in Armenia’s Public Schools

The content of education in Armenia is decided by the Government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), which has worked and will deepen its work with the Armenian Apostolic Church, and religious education will be taught also in elementary schools, said RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan (pictured) in parliament on Wednesday, commenting on a concern reflected in international reports on the teaching of religion in public schools in Armenia. 

"Unfortunately, this idea appeared in the report by those who consider themselves civil society activists, who have Armenian roots but uphold Western values, from organizations funded by grants," he said. 

The education minister urged MPs to no longer pay attention to this issue, as the clamor is artificially raised, and "Armenian society is not against the teaching of the history of the church."

"I know who complained against this — how much money he or she received for it. But from this rostrum I don't want to give names, as this is a high tribune. Our cooperation with the Armenian Apostolic Church is irreversible, as it is with the Ministry of Defense. We will not step back," he said. 

Ashotyan advised those preparing international reports to pay attention to the textbooks used in neighboring Azerbaijan, where, he says, xenophobia is preached. 

Note, the US Department of State referred to the issue of religious education in public schools in Armenia in its 2012 International Religious Freedom Report. 

"The law mandates that public education be secular. However, courses in the history of the Armenian Apostolic Church are part of the public school curriculum and are taught by public school teachers. The church has the right to participate in the development of the syllabus and textbooks for this course and to define the qualifications of its teachers. The church may also nominate candidates to teach the course. The class is mandatory; students are not permitted to opt out of the course, and no alternatives are available to students of other religious groups," read the report, in part.