Araik Harutyunyan: law enforcement bodies will take part in school  levies

ArmInfo. The issue of depoliticizing the leadership of Armenian universities will be resolved within the framework of the RA Law "On Higher Education". The Minister of  Education and Science of Armenia Araik Harutyunyan stated this on May  17 in a conversation with reporters.

 As pointed out by the minister, the previous draft law forbade the inclusion of government officials in the Board of Trustees of universities. However, in December 2017,  at the initiative of the ex-President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, this  provision was revised, as a result of which certain officials were  given such an opportunity. "At the moment we are working on changing  this provision so that no official has the right to be a member of  the Council," he said, noting that in this way the department strives  to ensure maximum independence of the university.

Touching upon the possible changes in the heads of universities,  Harutyunyan said that at present the Ministry is studying the issue.  "The task is complex, which will be resolved within the framework of  the amendment of the law" On Higher Education, "he explained.

Araik Harutyunyan also commented on rumors that illegal gains from  parents are still going on in the country's schools. According to the  minister, he was informed that in many cases, the funds collected  from his parents were returned. "At the same time, there are also  signals that a number of schools are continuing to raise money from  students, I say with all responsibility that every such case will be  handed over to law enforcement bodies." I urge school principals,  teachers who are engaged in such activities to stop it, the situation  will continue to be strictly suppressed," he said.

Recall that the newly appointed Minister of Education Araik  Harutyunyan, not yet embarking on his duties, on his Facebook page  wrote that he demands to stop the school money levies for final exams  and the last class and called for the return of money to parents.  And, despite repeated appeals from former and current education  officials, to stop raising funds in schools, such processes are still  continuing in educational institutions of Armenia.

Yesterday, speaking to the gathered at the central building of YSU,  activist of the movement David Petrosyan noted that it is necessary  to depoliticize the activity of universities. "There should not be a  political asset in the management of higher education institutions,  which negatively affects the overall quality of education," he said.