Tweet
TEACHING RELIGION IN SCHOOL IN ARMENIA JUSTIFIED USING ISRAEL'S EXAMPLE
06.13.2014 18:29 epress.am
The school subject "History of the Armenian Church" is secular;
it simply aims to round out the national portrait of Armenian
spirituality, said National Institute of Education representative
Hasmik Margaryan during a discussion titled "Christian intercession
classes in [public] schools" at the Media Center today.
Note, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has advised the
Government of Armenia to review its curriculum and remove the subject
on the history of religion, respecting the religious freedom of all
children. RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said
he intends to make no such change.
"We've received no written complaints from any parent. On the contrary,
we've received words of praise. After all, we are teaching a system
of values. How is it that [children] in a state like Israel for 50
years have taken the subject 'Self-Identity,' which aims to identify
religious and national identity? And we see with what great strides
Israel moves forward," argued Margaryan.
The other speaker at today's press conference, Armine Davtyan, who
researched the issue, didn't agree that the textbooks are secular.
According to her, they impose the teachings of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. It even says in the textbook explanation that its purpose
is to keep children away from sectarian organizations and the threat
they pose.
"None of the religious organizations had a goal to enter general
[public] education. Their activity is open, but they don't impose
anything," said Davtyan.
Margaryan, however, objected, saying that religious organizations
operate on account of grants and even encourage evading military
service.
Facilitating the discussion, Artak Hambartsumyan asked whether
Margaryan also considers the UN an organization that lives off
of grants.
"Why doesn't the UN oblige Spain and France to remove religious history
[from the school curriculum]? We want the Armenian nation to continue
[to exist]. What has our society come to? Today they get married;
tomorrow, they don't like each other and get divorced," said Margaryan,
indignant.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/06/13/teaching-religion-in-school-in-armenia-justified-using-israels-example.html
06.13.2014 18:29 epress.am
The school subject "History of the Armenian Church" is secular;
it simply aims to round out the national portrait of Armenian
spirituality, said National Institute of Education representative
Hasmik Margaryan during a discussion titled "Christian intercession
classes in [public] schools" at the Media Center today.
Note, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has advised the
Government of Armenia to review its curriculum and remove the subject
on the history of religion, respecting the religious freedom of all
children. RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan said
he intends to make no such change.
"We've received no written complaints from any parent. On the contrary,
we've received words of praise. After all, we are teaching a system
of values. How is it that [children] in a state like Israel for 50
years have taken the subject 'Self-Identity,' which aims to identify
religious and national identity? And we see with what great strides
Israel moves forward," argued Margaryan.
The other speaker at today's press conference, Armine Davtyan, who
researched the issue, didn't agree that the textbooks are secular.
According to her, they impose the teachings of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. It even says in the textbook explanation that its purpose
is to keep children away from sectarian organizations and the threat
they pose.
"None of the religious organizations had a goal to enter general
[public] education. Their activity is open, but they don't impose
anything," said Davtyan.
Margaryan, however, objected, saying that religious organizations
operate on account of grants and even encourage evading military
service.
Facilitating the discussion, Artak Hambartsumyan asked whether
Margaryan also considers the UN an organization that lives off
of grants.
"Why doesn't the UN oblige Spain and France to remove religious history
[from the school curriculum]? We want the Armenian nation to continue
[to exist]. What has our society come to? Today they get married;
tomorrow, they don't like each other and get divorced," said Margaryan,
indignant.
http://www.epress.am/en/2014/06/13/teaching-religion-in-school-in-armenia-justified-using-israels-example.html