Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

On December 21, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; a discussion dedicated to the educational issues of national life was held.

Clergy and lay members of the Mother See Educational Committee, representatives of educational institutions and structures, prominent intellectuals and specialists participated in the discussion. Questions related to the changes initiated by the Ministry of Education and Culture in the field of general education were discussed. The participants reaffirmed their reservations regarding the state and subject standards and programs of general education, and had a private reference to the new textbook for the 7th grade of the "Armenian History" subject.

It was recorded that conceptual, methodological, scientific, including ecclesiological and other important errors and omissions were found in the mentioned school manual. It was noted with deep concern that the most important historical events, figures and symbols of the national, state and spiritual life are not presented objectively and adequately in the textbook.

Based on the reservations expressed, the participants of the discussion emphasized that the most important mission of national upbringing and education of generations will be undermined by the teaching of this distorted and erroneous textbook.

It was considered necessary for the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Armenia to withdraw the above-mentioned textbook used in schools and start creating a new textbook, involving historians, clergymen and responsible representatives of scientific and educational institutions and the professional community in the process.

It was noted that it is important to regularly organize similar discussions regarding the problems of the educational sphere, in particular, Armenian studies, in order to contribute to the settlement of the problems of the mentioned sphere and to ensure quality education.

The discussion concluded with a word of appreciation and blessing to the participants by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.