‘Ms. Zohrebyan, I fear that many people may not even have elementary knowledge of the Armenian language’ - Simonyan

‘Recently, it seems that reading books, knowing our history, and literature is becoming a thing of the past. I assure you that reading books is modern... Just this year, of the 5,370 applicants, 1,045 students did not pass the minimum threshold for the state unified examination in Armenian language and literature, which means they did not meet the positive score requirement. This is a result of poor teaching of the subject in compulsory and high schools,’ said Naira Zohrebyan, a member of the ‘Prosperous Armenia’ faction during a parliamentary session.

‘Let’s conduct a test among our officials and parliament members to see how often expressions like “haskhandam” or “the question stands” have been heard from this podium,’ she continued.

‘Ms. Zohrebyan, I fear that if we have a test in the Armenian language, many people may not even have elementary knowledge. Let’s not open that subject. I’m not against it; let’s start, but let’s not get into a debate, right?’ replied Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Alen Simonyan.