YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 24, NOYAN TAPAN. The discussion, organized on February 23 at the Union of Writers of Armenia, was dedicated to the problems of teaching of Armenian language in the educational institutions of the republic. Heads of the Armenian Language chairs of the Universities, executives of the Language State Inspection and National Institute of Education participated in the discussion. According to them, the problem of teaching of the Armenian language at comprehensive schools and Universities is in a critical condition: the teaching of the Armenian language in natural science and humanitarian faculties of higher schools in the recent years lasts 1 year instead of 2 and ends only with a quiz. Robert Davtian, Head of the Chair of the Yerevan Architectural-Building State University, informed that their former Rector once announced that the students of that university don't need Armenian language, as it interferes the teaching of the other professional subjects. According to R.Davtian, the other universities are also in the same state in the sense of the armenian language. According to Levon Yezekian, Head of the Armenian Language Chair of Yerevan State University, such attitude towards the language is not beneficial for Armenia. "Small nations can exist and develop only through their language, education and culture", he mentioned. Problems connected with reductions of Armenian Language, Armenian Literature and Armenian History lessons at schools as a result of reforms implemented in the educational system, increase of teachers's salaries and unification of classes were discussed at the meeting. According to the participants, all this will yield its bitter friuts in a few years.

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