page_title: Armenian education in Cyprus
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Armenian education in Cyprus / History
caption_attribution_description: English: The old Armenian school in Larnaca Ελληνικά: Το παλαιό αρμενικό σχολείο στη Λάρνακα
context_page_description: Education is the foundation for the preservation of Armenian national and cultural heritage. Armenian schools teach and cultivate Armenophony, Armenology, the age-old Armenian history and the rich Armenian traditions, thus ensuring the perpetuation of Armenianism from generation to generation. The very existence of Armenian educational institutions in the countries of the Armenian Diaspora shows exactly the importance, the perseverance and the tireless efforts that the numerous Armenian communities make to avoid the "white massacre", the assimilation and peaceful disintegration of the Armenian nation. Therefore, in a way, the continuance of Armenian education up to our days is a sign of victory against the "red massacre", the Genocide.
context_section_description: Education is a very important part of the Armenian community of Cyprus. It first appeared in the second half of the 19th century, within the framework of the Tanzimat reformations. The first Armenian school in Cyprus, established by newly arrived Archimandrite Vartan Mamigonian, opened its doors in Nicosia in 1870; it was followed by an Armenian school in Larnaca (1909), Famagusta (1927) and Limassol (1928). Small Armenian schools, some public and others private, used to operate also at the Magaravank (1897–1914), the Attalou settlement near Kharcha (1910–1922), Amiandos (1928–1939 & 1942–1948), Mavrovouni (1939-1942), Nicosia (1900-1905) and Larnaca 1896-1899, 1916-1918, 1921-1936, as well as in various villages during the World War II evacuation. Of the private Armenian schools of the island, it is worth mentioning the short-lived but significant National Educational Orphanage (Ազգային Կրթարան-Որբանոց, 1897–1904), established in Nicosia by Vahan M. Kurkjian (Pagouran),  and naturally the world-renowned Melkonian Educational Institute (Մելգոնեան Կրթական Հաստատութիւն, 1926–2005), established in Nicosia by brothers Krikor and Garabed Melkonian and administered by the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
  In 1972, all four Armenian Elementary Schools in Cyprus were called Nareg National Schools (Նարեկ Ազգային Վարժարաններ), in memory of great Armenian monk, poet, mystical philosopher and theologian Saint Gregory of Nareg (951–1003), whose sandstone statue was sculpted in 1991 by the famous Armenian sculptor Levon Tokmadjian and placed in front of the Nicosia Nareg; it was unveiled by Representative Aram Kalaydjian on 24 March 1991. Also in 1991, all the three Armenian Elementary Schools assumed their current name: Nareg Armenian Schools (Նարեկ Հայկական Վարժարաններ). Currently, there is one Nareg school in Nicosia, one in Larnaca and one in Limassol. In Nicosia, Nareg also operates as a Gymnasium (Junior High School), as of September 2005, due to the unfair closure of the Melkonian Educational Institute. Currently, the Gymnasium section has about 10 students.
  As of 1960, the annual budget of the schools is fully covered by the Ministry of Education and Culture and education is provided for free; previously, the budget was covered partly by the Armenian Prelature of Cyprus (mainly out of the exploitation of the Magaravank's carob and oil trees’ production) and partly by tuition fees. The schools are open to all children of Armenian descent. The teaching and administrative staff is appointed and paid by the School Committee, with the exception of the Greek language and history teachers, who are provided by the Ministry of Education and Culture and paid by the Educational Service Commission. In 1998 the government approved the pension scheme for the staff of Nareg Schools, with the same terms and conditions that their Greek-Cypriot colleagues benefit.
  Currently, Armenian schools in Cyprus have about 205 students (Nicosia: 135, Larnaca: 30, Limassol: 40). Their administering body is the 11-member Armenian Schools’ Committee (Կիպրահայ Վարժարաններու Հոգաբարձութիւն), which - according to Law 103(I)/1999 - has a 5-year tenure and it is appointed by the Council of Ministers after the suggestion of the Minister of Education and Culture, who consults with the Armenian Representative; as of November 2009, the 11–member Schools' Committee is headed by Vartan Tashdjian. The current School Committee was appointed by the Decision of the Council of Ministers 69.557/18–11–2009, while the Decision of the Council of Ministers 70.780/14–07–2010 replaced a member who had resigned. Other than Mr Tashdjian, currently the School Committee consists of the following members: Sebouh Tavitian, Masis der Parthogh, Avedis Chouldjian, Yeran Kouyoumdjian, Assadour Devledian, Raffi Mahdessian, Nayiri (der Arakelian) Merheje, Rita Kasparian, Dr. Missag Keshishian and Haroutiun Kassabian.
  Initially, the School Committee was appointed by the Armenian Ethnarchy of Cyprus until 1921, when its members were then appointed by the High Commissioner/Governor (Colonial La
caption: The old Larnaca Armenian school
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