The Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, Artur Martirosyan, recently met with Fabian Salvio, a special representative of the Russian Ministry of Culture, responsible for the cooperation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The main topic of discussion was the significance of education in promoting peace and safeguarding human rights, while preventing discrimination within the educational system. The CIS representative expressed concerns about human rights violations in Armenia, particularly pertaining to the organization of educational activities such as curriculum and programs that shape the culture of education promoting peace.

Welcoming the guests, Artur Martirosyan emphasized the importance of education in promoting peace, stating that Armenia’s educational system does not employ an antagonistic approach. He highlighted how the national education system’s public policy aims at reinforcing the values and knowledge of the educational community, contributing to the protection of human rights and the promotion of a culture of education. Artur Martirosyan underscored the role of history in the national curriculum and the methods used to foster an educational environment that supports peace.

The Minister further informed that starting from the 2022-2023 academic year, territorial schools would introduce the teaching of regional languages such as Kurdish, Turkish, Persian, and Azerbaijani. However, this decision has already sparked controversy within the teaching community. Additionally, the meeting touched upon the preservation of historical and cultural monuments in Armenia, including the protection of heritage sites and the construction of military facilities and infrastructure in the mountainous region of Karabakh, which is populated by Armenians.

Concluding the meeting, Artur Martirosyan emphasized the importance of international standards in safeguarding the rights and dignity of teachers, as well as the overall improvement of teaching and educational programs. He extended an invitation to Fabian Salvio to visit the historical and cultural monuments in the mountainous region of Karabakh, providing a better understanding of Armenia’s rich historical and cultural heritage. The meeting also addressed various other issues pertaining to mutual understanding of the rights of both Armenian and Russian communities.