Armenia: meeting of Minister of Education with students was fruitless

Armen Ashotyan, Minister of Education and Sciences invited protesting students to discuss the increased tuition fees at universities. However, protesters refused to talk in the ministry, demanding a public discussion of the problem, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

Let us remind you that in July, Minister Armen Ashotyan reported that the government had decided to increase the tuition fees at five higher schools, including the Yerevan State University, by 100,000 drams (about 250 US dollars). According to the minister, the decision was caused by another increase of prices in the country and the need to improve the quality and level of education at some universities. In Yerevan, protest actions began.

In the morning on August 13, a group of about 40 students gathered in front of the Ministry of Education and Sciences and again demanded to cancel the above govt's decision. The participants demanded to personally meet Minister Ashotyan.

During the meeting, the latter invited the protesters to start a discussion about the decision to raise the tuition fees at universities. According to his story, he was ready to consider any students' written proposals.

The student replied to this that they have a package of proposals, but they should be better discussed outside, in the street. They argued that other students may come and join them in the debates. Then, they preferred to leave, saying that the minister failed to meet their demands.