Moldovan teachers, pupils discuss solutions to fight corruption in education

Chisinau, 9 December /MOLDPRES/ - Young people and teachers from 22 lyceums of Moldova, backed by more youth and pupils' organisations, today assembled in Chisinau to identify ways of combating such phenomena as informal taxes, favouritism, cheating, absenteeism, - practices generating corruption in schools. The action took place on the International Anti-corruption Day, marked annually on 9 December.

At the event, Education Minister Maia Sandu and United Nations Resident Coordinator in Moldova Nicola Harrington-Buhay participated in a flash-mob titled, "Break the chain of corruption." "The fight against the corruption phenomenon in the education system deals with the morality of each of us. Only weak people resort to easy ways, the strong choose long-lasting things. I urge you to edify together a better society by giving up cheating and having a more active involvement in the life of the school and community," Maia Sandu said. 

"The UN programmes involve young people as leaders, promoters, constructors of confidence and co-producers of development. We are determined to foster our commitment with you and your fellows, in order to help you achieve the future you want for Moldova,"  UN Resident Coordinator in Moldova, UN Development Programme  Resident Representative in Moldova Nicola Harrington-Buhay said. 

According to a press release by UNDP, the activities with the participation of young people are part of the the campaign "Break the chain of corruption," and a project "Young people for transparency in education," implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Education Ministry in 22 lyceums from rural regions of 11 Moldovan districts.

Under the Global Corruption Barometer 2013, carried out by Transparency International, 58 per cent of the Moldovans describe the education system as corrupt or extremely corrupt.