On present and future of Jerusalem's Armenian school

by Ani Nalbandian

Published: Monday March 08, 2010

The students in the Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School Kindergarten classes happily gathered together with their classmates and teachers.

Jerusalem - At the heart of this metamorphosis is a school, a school on which rests the preservation and future of the Armenian Quarter and community of Jerusalem. Its name: Saints Tarkmanchatz Armenian School, the sole subject I am concerned with in this commentary.

Those of you who believe in verifying the credibility of a source might be curious as to how I, a 22-year old Armenian American born and raised in Trumbull, CT, and a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, might know a single thing about this school or the Armenian community in Jerusalem.

You are justified in asking this, no doubt. My response is simply this: I am learning. For several weeks now, I have been in Jerusalem, and I intend on remaining here several months longer.

During this time, I aspire to become one of the Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School community by joining the faculty as an assistant teacher. As of now, however, in the context and short amount of time in which I have been introduced to the school, I claim no expertise or extensive familiarity with the school, how it is run, those in charge, its students, teachers, nor its principal. I seek only to reflect on those points concerning the school which might be obvious to any visitor in my position.

Harboring a student body of exactly 101 students, 27 teachers, and 7 staff members, it is immediately evident that the school is doing a tremendous job in raising and cultivating a new generation.

Examining, first, merely the physical structure of this 81-year old institution, advances into the future are noticeable everywhere. Beginning on the lower level, students are introduced to the processes of scientific discovery and experimentation in the setting of a new laboratory, which is continuously being stocked with the best and latest of lab equipment. Also on the lower level, students have access to a state-of-the-art computer lab, and a growing library where students are encouraged to take out books - books in several languages, for that matter.

On the floor above, excitation and anticipation mount as the community awaits the near completion of a newly renovated hall, which, with a stage, lighting, and balcony, will double as the auditorium for school concerts, productions, and other such events. The elegance and splendor of the hall serves as an example of the reinvigorated spirit which is captivating the Sts. Tarkmanchatz community at the turn of this century and decade. 

Meandering up the stairwell, past one floor onto the other, one will hear the halls and classrooms reverberating with the voices of children reciting the ABC's, reading aloud, answering questions, and in discussion with their teachers and fellow classmates. Thus, students are being students in this school. During break, children are seen chasing one another around the basketball courts, or chatting vigorously as they share a snack together. Thus, children are being children in this school.

Add to these sights those of freshly made bulletin boards decorated with students' work, alphabets and numbers along the perimeters of classrooms, posters, maps and teaching charts hanging up and being used, and here you have a school that is not merely a building housing desks and blackboards, but an environment that is nurturing students' eagerness to learn and grow. 

Perhaps, in spite of all this evidence, some onlookers might say more can and should be done to improve the school and the education of the students - but this is a universal concern and challenge for all those in education.

At Sts. Tarkmanchatz, a far-sighted administration is actively pursuing measures to resolve what educational issues are most pressing. With the implementation of new textbooks, the hiring of new teachers fit to teach the subjects for which they were hired, and the continual effort to stock the school with the necessary materials and equipment to fit the description of a 21st century school - with all these changes, the number and severity of such obstacles will abate, as they have already begun to.

Gradually, the number of students enrolled will increase. Gradually, the success stories of students passing the British General Certificate of Education exam with flying colors will abound, adding to the school's 81-year history of such past success stories - success stories otherwise known as Sts. Tarkmanchatz Alumni who have gone on to grace the world with their knowledge and expertise in a variety of different professions.

Building upon such a glorious past and present, and with the implementation of new programs and extracurricular activities, Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School will come to occupy the title of one of the premier schools of Jerusalem.

To all those who remain curious about the current status of the school, I say come and experience the positively charged atmosphere of the school for yourself. Come see the fallen tiles which have been replaced, the chipped paint which has been restored. Come meet the former students whose dedication to their alma mater has brought them back as teachers, and who bring with them a radiant energy which promises that only the good will be realized at this school.

And most importantly, come and meet the new leader, and truly inspiring pioneer who is ensuring the school keeps pace with the changing times, Fr. Norayr Kazazian, member of the St. James Brotherhood of Jerusalem, and principal of the school since 2007. There is no doubt that Fr. Norayr has been instrumental in harnessing the collective potential of the school, and in exercising it as best fits the needs of the school community today. He has a forward-looking vision for Sts. Tarkmanchatz, and his relentless efforts to realize it are to be commended. From what little I have been witness to thus far, it is clear that Fr. Norayr accepts and exemplifies the adage that all things in life are dynamic, not static, and thus to succeed, one must be proactive and not indifferent.