YOUNG MEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR RIGHT FOR FREE EDUCATION

Panorama.am
17:40 08/09/06

Dozens of young people gathered today at the building of the ministry
of education demanding their right for free education. Young men, who
had served in the Armenian army, were accepted to higher educational
establishment with a privilege of free educational as ex-soldiers of
the country. After studying for one year, they were told that they
have to pay tuition fee like other students. The universities said they
may be exempt from paying the tuition only if they excel in studies.

"I was accepted in the paid system in 2003 but I did not continue
the education thinking that I may be entitled for free education
after serving in the army," Vahe Asryan says. Vahe did not know that
he may be shifted to the paid system based on his grades after two
semesters. He learned about it only September 1.

Two hundred other similar young men were disappointed in their
aspiration to receive diplomas in different specializations. They have
applied to different state officials but were mostly refused. Many
students say if they have been warned in advance, they would not
apply for higher education. "We could go to universities on paid
system even without serving in the army," they say.

Groups of young men managed to meet Levon Lazarian, minister of
education, who advised to apply in writing and promised to raise the
issue at the government. /Panorama.am/