From 21 to 31 May, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the Minister Arayik Harutyunyan’s personality and activities. 34 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 389 articles were declared, 39 of which were negative, 350 were neutral.
There are no positive articles on the RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan during this ten-day period. As far as the dissatisfactions are concerned, they are related to both the innovations in the public education system and the problems of the university system.
The electronic registration system established in the general education system has raised a wave of dissatisfaction of parents having schoolchildren. They complain that children do not manage to register in schools nearby to their residences as some from other communities have been registered earlier than them.
Aram Simonyan resigned from YSU Rector’s office and mentioned that the Minister’s opinion is not essential to him. Arayik Harutyunyan is also accused of having close relations with the already elected, acting rector of YSU and supporting him.
In the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography tensions during the specified period were not calming down either. Students closed the university’s entrance and demanded the rector’s resignation.
The public recalled that a year ago, Arayik Harutyunyan spoke negatively about the “Ayb” Educational Foundation’s managers in particular and the “Ayb” in general. Some investigations have been carried out there, but the minister has not apologized for his position so far.
The aforementioned proves that there is dissatisfaction with Arayik Harutyunyan both in different social strata and in the university system. Arayik Harutyunyan continues to be accused of sponsoring.
