Epress.am News from Armenia
When the Armenian National Congress (HAK) comes to power, one of its first tasks will be to change the status of universities from state non-commercial organizations to independent foundations, said head of the HAK faction Levon Zurabyan today during discussion of the draft law on education in parliament.
He said that HAK intends to restore universities' right to self govern, since today one-party (allegiance) and totalitarianism reign in the educational system.
Zurabyan stated that members of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia are exerting great efforts to establish total control of the general education system, as it helps them to organize electoral fraud. According to the MP, the purpose of control in the universities, in particular, is to keep "students with the greatest potential for rebellion" away from the political struggle.
RA Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan (pictured) in his speech said he disagrees with the view that universities are being politicized. He said that there are 200 people in the political council of the Prosperous Armenia Party (led by oligarch Gagik Tsarukyan), 20 of whom hold positions in the educational system — rectors, deans, and department chairs.
"Guys, if we've politicized [the educational system], we’ve politicized it together. If we haven’t politicized [it], then none of us have politicized [it]," he said.