ARMENIAN MINISTER OF EDUCATION COMMENTS ON CORRUPTION AT HIGHER SCHOOLS

ARKA
March 16, 2009

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.