Few Bucks Here, Good Grades There

College bribery? In Armenia? You must be joking!

Now, the issue of alleged bribes being given in order to receive good marks has been brought out into the open after the results of a startling new poll, conducted by the Sargis Tkhruni Youth Student Union, affiliated to Armenia’s Social Democratic Party. Out of 2000 students - five per cent of all the students in Armenia - 1821 said that there was corruption in their colleges, according to the survey.

A striking 93 per cent of respondents to the poll suggested that lecturers’ salaries should be increased to discourage them from taking bribes.

"Nowadays those who pass their exams with a bribe are regarded with respect and envy, and not with pity," he said. “Instead of being condemned these students are examples for others to follow."

Of course, you should realize that the sponsor of the poll is Armenia's Social Democratic Party. The results from this survey could be used for political gain, as is usually the case. Regardless, bribery has become a part of normal life in Armenia. And it has to stop.

Source: A1+