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END OF YEAR MESSAGE
We, the teachers and staff at MEI, break for the summer recess after a most difficult and traumatic school year. During this year, of course, the Central Board of the AGBU announced the planned closure of the school in June 2005. In making the announcement on March 16th, 2004, the Central Board said that the MEI ‘has been a concern…over many years’ and that ‘MEI no longer meets the challenges of its mission in the present context of the Armenian world.’
Most hurtful to us working at the school were the following words: ‘The Central Board has taken significant steps to assess carefully MEI’s recent performance…’ and ‘…AGBU has…focused its attention on MEI’s recent educational performance and its current ability to fulfil (sic) a role similar to that which it fulfilled through the late 1960s.’ …and their conclusion was, ‘If the MEI’s current structure provided exceptional opportunities to its students as it had done in the past, substantial subsidisation under those circumstances would be warranted. Unfortunately this is not the case, in spite of the diligent efforts of committed School Board members, the Principal and the teaching staff.’
However, as this school year draws to a close, we take heart from the following words:
‘…MELKONIAN IS STILL A BASTION OF EDUCATION FOR ARMENIANS WORLDWIDE..’
‘…STUDENTS COMING FROM 23 COUNTRIES ARE EMPOWERED WITH EDUCATION AND CULTURE TO RETURN TO THEIR COMMUNITIES OFFERING SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP TO NEW GENERATIONS.’
‘..THE SCHOOL HAS UPGRADED ITS ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES IN LINE WITH CONTEMPORARY STANDARDS.’
‘THE SCHOOL’S PROSPECTS AND CONFIDENT OUTLOOK INTO THE FUTURE JUSTIFY THE GREAT MORAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT EXTENDED BY THE AGBU.’
‘MAY THE TORCH OF THE MELKONIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE, THIS EXTRAORDINARY SCHOOL, STAY FOREVER KINDLED.’
Words taken from the late 1960s?
No, these are the words of Berge Setrakian, on behalf of the Central Board, in a letter published in the school’s 75th anniversary booklet in APRIL, 2001.
We can only wonder at what changes to the Armenian world happened in the three short years from April 2001 to March 2004. They must have been truly dramatic changes.
However, it is now over three months since the closure announcement was made and we still cannot identify exactly what those changes were. Bewildered, we look forward to a summer of contemplation.
Yours sincerely,
MEI Teachers and Staff
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