Experts are discussing possible abuse and corruption in the publication of text books at the expense of budget funds. Thus, experts are convinced that the problem with text books of the previous year lies in the corrupted nature of publishing activity in Ukraine. Taking into consideration petitions of journalists and public figures, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the Prosecutor´s General Office and the Court of Auditors with a request to verify effective use of budget finds for the publication of text books for secondary educational establishments in 2011. Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, prepared the petition.
Mykola Tomenko focused on the fact that the Budget of Ukraine for 2011 allocated UAH 120 million "for publication, purchase, storage and delivery of text book and manuals for the students of higher educational establishments, pupils of secondary schools and vocational educational establishments and bursary schools." According to the information of the Ministry on Education, Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine, the governmental order was executed before the beginning of 2011/2012 academic year. M. Tomenko informed that according to the information submitted by the Ministry, the average price of one text book comprises UAH 22.
However, he stressed that analysis of figures of the previous years shows that average price of a text book published at the expense of the state funds in 2005-2007 totaled nearly UAH 10. M. Tomenko emphasized that even considering the inflation rate in Ukraine for the respective period, increase of cost of materials and books by two times casts doubt on correct and effective use of budget funds by the Ministry of Science, Education, Youth and Sports of Ukraine.
The Deputy Chairman addressed the Prosecutor´s Office and the Court of Auditors with a request to check the facts of corruption in the use of funds for the publication of textbooks.