My Resignation Is Not Being Discussed: Araik Harutyunyan

My resignation is not being discussed. This was stated today, August 28, during a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Araik Harutyunyan, who added that he understands the demands and actions of those calling for his resignation.

When asked if he saw any shortcomings that could justify a demand for his resignation, he replied, “When discussions were held in 2018 regarding what reforms would take place in our sector, I had the opportunity to say that very painful and heavy reforms would occur because it was clear to all of us that the systems functioning in the educational, cultural, and sports spheres were causing significant dissatisfaction and reforms needed to happen there. I mentioned that these reforms would concern a very large group of stakeholders, and naturally, there would be grievances.”

The group that is currently expressing dissatisfaction does so for very specific reasons, which they can be questioned about. According to him, they have no real understanding of the content, particularly of the general education standards and program benchmarks, or they are blatantly distorting the facts. “When they claim that the subject of Initial Military Training is being removed, they are lying. When they say that sexual education will be included in the programs starting in September, they are lying. When they contend that all standards incorporate a component of sexual education, they are lying. When they say the Armenian mountain range has been replaced with Anatolia, they are lying. Those involved in this street fight have considerably damaged their interests because their activities in the sector have been flawed, and naturally, they must raise this noise.”

He added, “When they say that Khorenatsi, Narekatsi, Sayat Nova are being removed from the program, they are lying.”

Araik Harutyunyan called on journalists not to spread the misinformation being heard but to delve deeper into the texts and present the reality. Regarding the requirement for children to wear masks in classrooms, he stated, “I have heard the concerns of parents; we are discussing this, and essentially the suggestions that have been made do not contain anything new. The mask-wearing rule in closed spaces has been in effect since May.”