Armenian journalist: Beating children has become rife in Armenian special schools

Brutal beating of children has become rife in Armenian special schools, journalist of Armenian Public Television Susan Simonian, who was fired after the airing her report about sexual harassment by teacher at Nubarashen special school, said at a news conference.

Simonian investigated situation in special schools for several months. In addition beating and malnutrition, she drew attention to the fact that children with various disabilities use the same training and educational programs and methods as healthy people.

Activist Mariam Soukhudyan, who raised the issue of the school, is charged with spreading false reports for selfish ends.

Simonyan said she prepared the report on her own initiative and had not received any requests from Mariam Soukhudyan. Journalist excluded the possibility that Soukhudyan intended to distribute false information earlier.

Simonian noted Mariam Soukhudyan’s mother hardly gave the video captured saying that she would give them after a talk with the schoolgirls and their mother. Simonyan said that the second school girl contacted her herself. She said the girl came to the public television and reported on cases of violence committed by the teacher to punish children. This schoolgirl, in contrast to the other, has not abandoned testimony in a confrontation with the teacher, the journalist said.

“The children who are still in school and are dependent on director and teachers were interviewed during the investigation. These children are very vulnerable. Even their own parents turned against them,” Simonian said.

Representatives of groups advocating Soukhudyan visited the Education Ministry where the head of the department of special education told them that beating is a normal thing.

/ARMENIA Today/