Cases of Unjust Income in Vayots Dzor Educational Institutions Revealed

Under the instruction of the Republic of Armenia's Prosecutor General, investigations have been underway since last year to uncover potential cases of corruption related to employment relationships in educational institutions across the country. The aim is to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

As part of this effort, the Vayots Dzor regional prosecutor's office sought and received data from the Vayots Dzor Regional Administration and the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture regarding individuals appointed to positions of support staff in general education schools operating within the region. This information was forwarded to the Vayots Dzor regional division of the police to verify cases where these individuals failed to attend work, did not properly fulfill their duties, and to examine the circumstances surrounding their compensation.

Extensive operational and investigative measures have led to the collection of information regarding several general education schools in the region, particularly concerning positions such as security guards, laboratory assistants, janitors, and door attendants, as well as teachers and vice-principals. It has been found that from 2007 to 2019, these individuals often failed to attend work for extended periods—ranging from 10 days to several months—while, in some instances, being absent from the country altogether. Despite this, salaries or other payments were disbursed in their names without them fulfilling their employment obligations or doing so inadequately, leading to financial misappropriation.

Under the supervision of prosecutors overseeing the procedural management, materials have been prepared at the Yeghignadzor division of the police, resulting in a criminal case being initiated regarding a case uncovered at Gladzor Secondary School under paragraph 1 of part 2 of Article 179 of the RA Criminal Code. This case has been forwarded to the Vayots Dzor Regional Investigation Department for further investigation.

A total of 18 additional schools in the region and the Vayots Dzor Regional State College were also examined for suspected abuses. In two instances, the initiation of criminal cases was declined due to the application of a pardon act, in five instances due to the expiration of statutory deadlines, in eleven cases due to a lack of criminal elements in the directors' actions (the damages did not surpass the legally established threshold), and in one case due to the absence of a crime.

All identified acts of abuse have resulted in a total loss to the state of approximately 3,000,000 AMD, which has been fully compensated by former and current school directors.