Ombudsman disputes government's decision
By a government decision adopted three years ago several departments at the Yerevan State University do not receive state funding, thereby restricting the right to free education. This mainly refers to such specializations as law and international relations, the RA Ombudsman said in a statement.
"The Armenian Ombudsman has found that the decision conflicts with Armenia's Constitution which says each citizen has a right to receive free higher and professional education in state higher and other professional educational institutions on the basis of competition as prescribed by law.
Pursuant to the Law on Education the Armenian Government must establish state funding for each academic year, based on the specializations and educational institutions, envisaging free education for at least 10 percent of the seats offered.
In response to the Ombudsman's letter in this connection, the Ministry of Education and Science said that the given restriction does not imply a breach.
Anyway, considering the aforesaid as a violation of a specific legal demand, Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan has applied to the Constitutional Court to dispute the constitutionality of the Government decision," reads the statement.
