Armenian minister of education comments on corruption at higher schools

YEREVAN, March 16. /ARKA/. The evidence of corruption at Armenian higher schools must be presented to the RA Ministry of Education, RA Minister of Education Spartak Seyranyan told reporters.

“We have always said that negative phenomena do exist in the field of education, just as in any other sphere of social life, and pointed out that we will struggle against them. But, of course, the right ways of struggling must be used, because a mechanism may be chosen that will distort the very idea of battling corruption,” he said.

On March 11 morning, posters with pictures of over ten lecturers of Yerevan higher schools were put up on the walls at some of the higher schools, as well as at bus stops and other public places. The Miasin movement charges the lecturers with bribery.

“I am sorry, but our laws do not clearly mete out punishment for libel in this and other similar cases. I think that the events over the last few days show a dangerous trend – struggle against vicious phenomena must not come to discrediting innocent people,” Seyranyan said.

He stressed that any proofs of the charges must be presented to the administration of higher schools, as well as to the Minister of Education personally.

Minister Seyranyan stressed that, if the facts are proved, the Ministry of Education and Science will be the first to “carry the matter through”. Otherwise, the ones responsible for libel will be called to account.

“Struggle against any negative phenomena must be based on principles. When I am told that students are afraid of talking about negative things, I do not understand because there are no grounds for fears. During my meetings with students, they are not afraid of speaking their problems,” the Minister said.

Seyranyan said that clear facts must be available for the truth to be established.

“The Ministry of Education is not an investigatory body. We need facts, and if they are available, I will be the first to demand a thorough investigation and punishment of those guilty. Otherwise, I will be the first to demand the ones discrediting innocent people and the organizers of the action,” the Minister said. –0--

 

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02:29 03/17/2009