From 11 to 20 July, 2020, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the Minister Arayik Harutyunyan’s personality and activities. 35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 179 articles were declared, 72 of which were negative and 107 were neutral.
No positive articles on RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan were published. Arayik Harutyunyan’s statements against church raised hot discussions on social networks. After this, Arayik Harutyunyan has been a godfather during the wedding in the Armenian Apostolic Church, which, in tis turn, was discussed too. Many people mention that Arayik Harutyunyan has a contemptuous attitude towards the church, they did not consider it right to accept Arayik Harutyunyan as a godfather.
A large wave of complaints arose especially after the announcement of the results of the entrance exams.
Due to the irresponsible actions of the Ministry of Education, many applicants and their parents found themselves in a difficult psychological situation. Students with high scores were not admitted to any department, instead those with lower scores were. The parents initiated protests, and the explanation of the representatives of the ministry was late. Applicants were not notified of the new procedure beforehand.
According to the press, Arayik Harutyunyan once accused Mirzoyan Ararat of stealing his votes. He received a severe reprimand from the board for that accusation.
Arayik Harutyunyan was announcing at the already well-known session of the board that they have to go a political path with Edmon Marukyan for another ten years. Months later, he denied his words.
After the “revolution”, Arayik Harutyunyan urged the CC (Civil Contract Party) members to disseminate information, according to which, those who had escaped from serving in the army were on the spot during April war.”
Arayik Harutyunyan posted a picture and wrote that people do not wear masks in Ddmashen village. Political scientist Armen Minasyan, referring to the topic, wrote: “The sphere led by Arayik Harutyunyan is such that it should fight against the absence of masks not with administrative tools, but with education, culture and sports. That is, if instead of “threatening” to visit the village, he takes care that the desired education of hygiene, way of life, healthy lifestyle is instilled in the children through the necessary education and practices in the village school, house of culture and sports school (of course, if he cares of their existence), he will not need to visit the village. That would be the real care of children’s health.”
According to media reports, Smbat Gogyan, the head of the Supreme Certifying Committee, was also present during the discussions in the field of education held in the Government: “The point is that Deputy Minister Tamrazyan tried to make harsh statements, accusing Smbat Gogyan, which, in its turn, angered Pashinyan. The latter did not let Tamrazyan finish his speech, interrupted him and announced that he is appointing an official investigation, and let it reveal the answers to all the questions. The situation was so tense that the prime minister left the meeting.”
