Results of study on corruption risks assessment in education sphere presented in Yerevan, Armenia
The results of the study “Corruption Risks Assessment in Education Sphere” were presented today on Yerevan.
In the words of Expert of the Public Policy Institute Avetik Mejlumyan, they have cooperated with the ministry workers, experts of the sphere, publishing houses, teachers, parents and students including quality and quantity elements in the study.
Turning to the results, Mejlumyan said that although the paid classes are common in other states as well, here (in Armenia) they can lead to conflict of interests and exploitation.
“For instance, 60 percent of the 12th grade students hold private classes with tutors. The number of students applying for private tutoring are more in Yerevan (50 percent) than the one of in provinces. It turns out that every third pupil of the 12th grade hold private classes,” he said.
According to the results, the average cost of classes make up 16.600 AMD.
“It might seem not to be a great number, however, taking into account the poverty level in Armenia, it can become a heavy burden for the families,” he noted reminding that this presents an average cost.
Turning to the decision on allowing entrepreneurial activities of the schools, the speaker draw attention on the fact that the additional educational programs must not coincide with the courses included in the subject list.
To note, the study has been carried out by Transparency International Anti-Corruption Centre in cooperation with Public Policy Institute NGO, in the framework of the project “Demanding society for responsible management” implemented with the support of U.S. Agency for International Development.