Sorry, I am not a Melkoniantsi, but I can understand the frustration all of you are going through. I've been asking around, but no one seems to know the answer "Why Melkonian? and why now?". An ex-Melkoniantsi said that the closure of the school was raised in 1973, but Alex Manoogian refused doing so. In 1974, there was more talk, but the Turkish invasion of Cyprus deterred that plan. (so the Turks helped us??) Is this true? Anyone from the 70s who remembers this?

I also heard that AGBU is planning to build a new school in Naqqash area, near Antelias (Lebanon). They want to join the campuses of whatever has remained in Beirut. So where is the money coming from this time? I had heard rumours in mid-1990s that a new school would be built and Melkonian would be transferred to Lebanon where there is a larger Armenian community; and then last year, when I was on the education board I was shown the plans and designs of this new campus. I should mention that there are a lot of self-appointed real estate agents among the AGBU-ites here who bring potential buyers for AGBU properties.

The only immediate solution I can see is for the current AGBU board to step down and give the chance to other more "dedicated" people to run it properly. But will they ever do that? Just like middle easterners, the more they fail, the more they get attached to their "seats" and show the sign of victory.. Apparently, AGBU's so-called "leaders" prefer closing schools (6 schools were sold in Lebanon) and building centres that carry their names - centres that AGBU youth are unable to use freely ... After all, where the hell are these "leaders" going to show off their "assets" - whatever they may be?

Having said this, I would also like to ask how much Melkonian Alumni have donated financially to their school? Most private schools, especially non-profit institutions, cover their expenses from donations and annual fund-raisers that support students: that's how they survive. Sorry, I am not a Melkoniantsi, and I don't know how you operate ... Out of curiosity, what has Melkonian alumni done all these years other than hold meetings ? From my experience with AGBU education board in Lebanon, I can safely say that AGBU graduates don't even care about their schools once they graduate... it's not even the last thing on their mind. There is an apathy among AGBU-ites , why? most probably because of the way they were treated.

How many Melkonian alumni are there in the world? if each gave $100/year, how much would they contribute?

Needless to say, I gave up on AGBU because of the so-called self-appointed "unzarkatsadz" leaders here in Beirut who do not give a damn about the schools no matter how hard a small group of us tried to raise the standards... After all, their kids and now grandkids go to non-Armenian schools. Their message was very clear: Since parents are unable to pay, that's all the standard they're ever going to get if they want to keep the school open. And for some, "parents should kiss our hands for keeping the school open." Yes, a lot of AGBU "leaders" look down on people who cannot afford to send their kids to private schools. Their egos are ... (fill the blanks yourselves).

Perhaps, closing down Melkonian is a message to other parents at other AGBU schools not to complain about tuition fees - or else, their school will also be closed... Quite civilized threat, don't you think? AGBU's mission to help and educate Armenians has been altered... It's become an institution for the entertainment of large egos. (Again, let me qualify: I'm talking of my experience with the Lebanese Chapter of the AGBU).

Regards

Katia

Lecturer, American University of Beirut