25 October 2010, 16:40
Mykola Tomenko: During the Election Campaign, Higher Education Establishments are held hostage to the Political Flexibility of their Rectors
During the working visit to Poltava city, Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, met the heads of the student boards of the higher education establishments. He briefed on the experience of the higher education establishments that formed and successfully incorporated the student self-government model outlined in the Law "On Higher Education." M. Tomenko also presented the "Methodological Support of Implementation of the Law "On Higher Education" regarding Student Self-Government" published by the Ukrainian Student Self-Government Organization jointly with the Institute of Politics, with the assistance of M.Tomenko Fund "Ridna Kraina."
Asked whether several higher education establishments are open to the parties in power, but closed to the members of other political parties, M.Tomenko responded that he objected to turning the education establishments into the territories of political propaganda. He stated that "both higher education establishments and the students are being held hostage to the political flexibility of their rectors." "Recently, they have advocated Our Ukraine and political forces affiliated to the President Viktor Yushchenko, but now that have rapidly joined the party in power, claiming that membership in the Party of Regions has been their cherished dream," the Deputy Chairman stated.
"I would rather rectors not belong to any political party, but tackle their key tasks: provide quality education and arrange working conditions for students and lecturers," he stressed. M.Tomenko also admitted, "The office of the Minister of Education should belong to the experts recognized by the entire educational system of Ukraine, rather than party and political figures."