I Will Give Instructions Not to Count November Absences: Gegham Gevorgyan to Students

I will give instructions not to count November absences. This was stated today, December 2, during a meeting with students by the Acting Rector of Yerevan State University, Gegham Gevorgyan.

“Did the issue finish? But this does not pertain to October, September, or December,” he said.

The moderator of the meeting also noted that this applies to those who indeed participated in protest actions, as there were students who stayed home during those days, not attending classes nor the protests.

In response to students' concerns about whether those who participated in the strike might be expelled from the university, Gevorgyan stated, “At least in this semester, no one will be harmed due to the strike.”

It is noteworthy that students had protested in front of Gegham Gevorgyan’s office days ago, demanding a meeting with him. After receiving a positive response from the rector, they halted their protests and the strike that had resumed the previous day.

Students from the Faculty of Armenian Philology held a strike from November 6 to 20, expressing their disagreement with a provision in a new draft law which proposes to make the subjects “Armenian Language,” “Armenian Literature,” and “Armenian History” optional in non-specialized faculties of universities. Students from the Faculty of History also joined their protests, along with lecturers from the “Armenian Language” and “History” departments who declared a symbolic one-day strike in support of the students.

Afterward, the lecturers met with Minister Arayik Harutyunyan to voice their grievances, with varying opinions regarding the outcomes of the meeting. Some believe it was effective, while others contend that it was formal and unconstructive. Students expressed their discontent with the meeting, claiming that the minister spoke disrespectfully to the lecturers and mocked them.

The controversial bill is currently under discussion in the form of a working draft.