Azerbaijani Language to be Taught in Three Schools in Armenia

In Armenia, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, Azerbaijani language instruction will be implemented in three general education institutions. This was reported to Panorama.am by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.

The website had submitted a written inquiry to the Ministry regarding the teaching of the Azerbaijani language in general education schools. In the response from the state agency, it is stated: "The necessity for teaching regional languages in general educational institutions arises from the implementation of the Armenian government's program approved by the decision No. 1363-A of August 18, 2021. The government's program, through its educational sector measures, aims to develop the teaching of foreign languages, particularly Russian, English, French, as well as regional languages."

According to the appendix of the decision No. 1902-L dated November 18, 2021, on the approval of the Action Plan for the Activities of the Government of the Republic of Armenia for 2021-2026, the section for the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports specifies the sixth objective, particularly objective 6.3, which concerns the organization of teaching regional languages in general education schools. To this end, subject programs for regional languages have been approved by the order of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.

It is a requirement of the State Standards of General Education that upon completion of secondary education, graduates should be able to communicate fluently and spontaneously with native speakers in at least two foreign languages on topics of interest, as well as read and comprehend various texts, including vocabulary related to their selected profession, and construct and write the main ideas on different themes.

Teaching regional languages has been implemented since the 2022-2023 academic year as a third foreign language or as a subject group. Currently, the program includes the study of Azerbaijani, Turkish, Persian, and Georgian languages in various general education institutions in Armenia. The instruction of Azerbaijani and Turkish may only be organized for students in grades 10-12, while Persian and Georgian instruction can commence from the 5th grade.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, Azerbaijani language instruction will be offered in three general educational institutions. The implementation of this program is not mandatory; educational institutions have the freedom to organize the teaching of regional languages based on approved programs by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, provided they have the corresponding qualified specialists, and there is no specific list of selected schools available.

Additionally, it should be mentioned that the requirements for the qualifications of teachers at general educational institutions, as stipulated in points 1 and 2 of Article 26 of the Law on General Education, must also be met by individuals teaching regional languages, who are required to present information certifying their language proficiency.