On June 1, the participants of the 9^th Pan-Armenian Forum of Journalists had a meeting with Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia Arayik Harutyunyan.

Greeting the participants of the forum, Arayik Harutyunyan stated that he attaches importance to meetings with Diaspora Armenian journalists in this format since messages are conveyed to Armenian communities of the Diaspora through them as well. The Minister of Education and Science emphasized the fact that, after the Velvet Revolution, reforms in the education sector are primary and there is political will to solve the issues that require both a modern approach and a strategic approach.

“Everyone has to have access to education. This is a serious imperative,” Arayik Harutyunyan stated.

Editor-in-Chief of Orer Magazine Hakob Asatryan (Czech Republic) asked if the Minister had managed to get acquainted with the programs of the Ministry of Education and Science devoted to the Diaspora and what changes are expected. Arayik Harutyunyan stated that even though he had already discussed the topic with Minister of Diaspora Mkhitar Hayrapetyan, the topic needs to be studied in depth.

Editor of Azad Or Newspaper Hovsep Barazian (Greece) commended the depoliticization of schools in Armenia.

Armenian American journalist and publicist Hakob Palyan asked Minister Arayik Harutyunyan about the need for unified orthography, the transition to classic orthography and preservation of the purity of the Armenian language. The Minister of Education and Science stated that the transition to a unified orthography in Armenia and the Diaspora is not a primary issue of concern for the current provisional government and the topic can lead to great tension in the Diaspora as well.

Editor of Khosnag Magazine Hampig Mardirossian (Lebanon) underlined the fact that Western Armenian is seriously at great risk and attached importance to raising the level of teaching of Western Armenian in schools in Armenia.

Arayik Harutyunyan stated that the Ministry of Diaspora has made recommendations regarding the issue that will be observed and implemented.

Armenian American journalist Lilia Avagyan asked about the effectiveness of the 12-year educational system and the upcoming changes. Arayik Harutyunyan stressed that even though the adopted system is a good one, introduction of the system was not effective.

The participants of the forum and the Minister discussed the issue of revaluing the role and reputation of teachers in schools. The Minister stated that teachers must first and foremost teach students to think, transmit necessary skills, become self-educated and apply new teaching methods.

The Diaspora Armenian journalists also touched upon the activities of the State Language Inspectorate, the current state of the Armenian language on social networks and in the media, as well as the need for certificates stating knowledge of Armenian at Armenian schools of the Diaspora.