The Word 'Armenian' Removed from High School Subject 'Armenian Literature'

In the draft of the new curriculum for the subject 'Literature' in general education schools, the word 'Armenian' has been removed from the subject 'Armenian Literature'. Tert.am contacted Tamara Alexanyan, the coordinator of the committee developing the Armenian language and literature curriculum and standards, to discuss the issue.

According to her, the word 'Armenian' was eliminated from the literature subject because alongside Armenian literature, foreign and world literature has also been included in the curriculum. 'First of all, Armenian literature is part of world literature, and beyond that, many foreign authors are included, which is why we have changed it to just 'Literature'. From the first grade to the sixth grade, it is called 'Native Language', in the seventh to ninth grades, the subject was titled 'Literature', and only in high school was it named 'Armenian Literature', which we have removed, because if we keep 'Armenian Literature', we must maintain the chronology, to which we are vehemently opposed. In this way, we have also provided high school students the opportunity to connect with world literature; that’s the entire point,' she explained.

According to Tamara Alexanyan, the change has sparked a discussion as not all teachers are prepared for the changes in the literary list. 'The uproar is due to many teachers who have been accustomed to working the same way for years, and now they need to read again, study, develop new educational plans, and it’s understandable why they are upset. But there are groups of teachers with sound judgment who welcome the changes and are willing to learn,' she said.

Tamara Alexanyan pointed out that contemporary writers are also included in the textbook, which has created further disagreements, with some opposing the teaching of contemporary authors' works in schools.