When summer comes, parents of six year old kids start looking for suitable schools for their children. Only wealthy residents can afford to get placements in “the best” secondary educational establishments.
Magnet school №28 with in-depth study of foreign languages is considered to be “the most prestigious” in Dashoguz. Correspondents of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” report that it is extremely challenging for prospective students to get enrolled there.
Up to 80% students of this school are made up of children, grandchildren and close family members of officials and staff of the velayat and municipal khyakimlik’s offices, public prosecutor’s offices, the Interior Ministry, the NSM as well as major organizations and institutions.
It should be pointed that that some students are family members of not only the municipal but etrap level officials despite the fact that the existing residence registration systems requires to be employed by or to be enrolled in an educational establishment based on the place of permanent residence.
Residents with no connections are forced to pay a bribe for placing their children in schools. This year the amount of a bribe has doubled compared to the previous year’s fee and equals $800-$1000. The payment in manats at the black market rate is accepted.
As a rule, during meetings with parents the school administration says there are no vacancies available. However, the housekeeping manager, who serves as an intermediary between the school administration and parents, meets parents in the hall and offers to “resolve” this issue.
The education in Turkmenistan remains heavily corrupt.Bribes are coerced from residents for placing their children in kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities.
“Chronicles of Turkmenistan” has previously reported that the deputy khyakim of the etrap named after Turkmenbashi helped to illegally place children of her acquaintances into kindergartens.