Last Bell: School leavers admit that they collected money
On May 27, the Last Bell rang for school leavers in Armenia but more modestly than it was done in previous years. Ceremonies in schools started with a moment of silence for the soldiers killed on the Karabakh frontline during the April clashes. School leavers of Getashen village in Armavir province were very excited. Minister of Education and Science personally visited them to congratulate on the occasion. The problem of money collection at schools was again raised on the eve of the academic year. School leavers confess that they have collected money but on their own initiative. "We, Armenians, love luxuries, everyone wants their children to have a good look on this day. Our class has collected a small amount of money,” says Mary Harutyunyan. The Ministry of Education and Science cannot forbid children from celebrating the occasion; it can only repeat that ‘fundraising is forbidden at schools and urge parent to collect the minimum sum which is necessary for their children to be happy. This process resembles New Year's Eve parties when people lay abundant tables; we should be more modest.’ According to the Transparency International Anticorruption Centre, the fundraising is done for school principals, school-leaving parties or examinations. The Ministry has set up a special committee to study the issue. However, the minister believes they need time to solve the problem completely “We cannot solve the problem by boasting that we have punished and whipped those who collect money.” The minimum amount collected from each pupil amounts 60-70 thousand drams.
