Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan said that the Armenian community of Turkey faces numerous problems, including education. Around 47 Armenian schools operated in Istanbul during the 1970’s. There are about 16 Armenian Schools in Istanbul today with 3,000 students. In the Armenian School, they do not learn about Armenian history. The Turkish policy is that, teachers should be only teaching Turkish history and language. Melkonyan, visited many of these Armenian schools, and he asked the students why they do not speak Armenian in Armenian schools. The students replied saying that it’s not allowed and many of the teachers don’t speak it, so why should they?. Only 18% of the Armenian community of Istanbul knows the Armenian language and uses it.
I just think it’s really sad that only 18% Armenians actually know the language. That is horrible. I just assumed that people in Istanbul, Turkey would know about the Armenian Culture, and Language then other European countries. I was just shocked, that the percentage was low. If it was about 50-60% it would have been better because that would be more than half of Istanbul.
via Armedia WHS: Only 18% of Armenian Community in Istanbul know Armenian?!.
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