The bill to amend the Contravention Code that was approved by the Government stipulates realities for the acceptance and offering of illegal rewards in education institutions. The fines for accepting and for collecting informal payments in education amount to 15,000 lei, IPN reports. The collection of such informal payments is an illegal activity and represents an obstacle to ensuring free access to education of persons with a reduced budget, but this right is stipulated in the Constituent, IPN reports.

The bill’s sponsors make reference to the admission taxes paid at state education institutions, payments made into the fund of the class or the institution; provision of alternative textbooks and of education services in addition to the programs of study ; academic consultations; execution of repair works; organization of out-of-school activities, etc.

The bill drafted by the Ministry of Justice says the collection of informal taxes creates ethical, moral and legal problems and generates conflicts of interest in the process of assessing school performance. The acceptance of gifs in addition to pays and other benefits leads to the appearance of the feeling of obligation and the moral constraint of teachers before children whose parents pay such benefits.

The asking, acceptance or receiving of illegal rewards or gifts for executing works or providing services by a salaried employee of an enterprise, institution or organization will be punished with a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 lei. The provisions refer not only to education institutions, but also to institutions operating in trade, public food, transport, social, communal, medical and other types of services.