Ban on raising money for grad exams

The teaching staff is prohibited to engage in the process of raising money for organising exams, chairwoman of the Education, Science, Youth and Sports Division (DGETS), Tatiana Nagnibeda, told a news conference on Friday, April 13. In her words, according to a special action plan worked out by the Administration Council of DGETS, the respective interdiction was discussed with the main directors of the schools at the level of divisions in the districts, with the heads of the parents’ public associations in 152 schools, with the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Youth, functionaries of local public administration, including the municipality’s prosecutor. During these meetings it was warned about the necessity of observing the status of the Public Associations, legally registered, of ensuring transparency, of respecting the voluntary principle while raising funds to support the education process in school, of informing the parents. Helplines were set up in each DGETS in the district. Thus, the parents can communicate about the cases when they are forced to contribute by paying money for organising the exams. The helpline 20.16.30 is running at the general Division, 76.15.36 – in Botanica district, 23.28.19 - Buiucani, 27.17.03 - in Centru, 33.11.34 - Ciocana, 44.43.39 - in Rascani. Tatiana Nagnibeda mentioned that all these activities are only prevention measures meant to inform the parents about the fact that the graduation examinations are free and they must stay out of their organisation process. According to her, the DGETS is not responsible for tracing and holding answerable the teachers involved in unauthorised money collections. It rests with law enforcement bodies. As many as 152 schools, attended by 96591 pupils, are operating in Chisinau municipality at present. In summer 2007, 10233 pupils will leave the grammar schools, 3707 pupils – secondary schools and 5393 pupils – high schools.