Bribery: AUCA students share their experience
A bribe, quiet familiar word, isn’t it? Some people perceive it lightly and could give at least a bar of chocolate, to a primer for a good grade in school. While others are squeamish about such methods. HotBox Media asked students to tell whether they even bribed someone at least once and how they feel after such an experience.
Daniar Usenov, a student at AUCA:
— My first bribery experience was when I studied in 5th grade. My teacher at PE classes wanted to give me a bad mark. I was scared and bought medical note with an invented diagnosis for 500 soms (about $7). The funny thing is a doctor proposed an idea to pay. I had no other options rather than pass him money. Bribes don’t take a lot of time and makes life easier. In addition, I think bribery is a part of our culture as people got addicted to it and continue to behave in such a way.
Somon Bahromzoda, studies Applied Mathematics in AUCA:
— My very first time with the bribery experience was in High School. Without any reasons my Russian language teacher always reduced my grades. No matter my high scores and a scholarship provided by management, Russian language teacher would cause me a lot of academic problems. Every time she would hit my head with a notebook and humiliate my personality. It was really offensive. After giving her some money her behaviour has changed significantly. Even though a bribe helped me a lot, on another hand, individuals lose the motivation to study. When I was trying to get a “B” through own efforts, the other person got his grade as he paid for it.
Beknazar, Applied Mathematics:
— I condemn giving or taking bribes. Only once in my life, I faced such a case when I was about to get my driver license, as usual, the group collects a certain amount of money for the instructor. Due to the fact that I wanted to pass an exam with my acquired knowledge, I refused to give 500 soms. In this regard, I had to pass the exam twice to honestly get permission to drive.
Usen Atabaev, Professor of Russian Language:
— You will not believe, but I have never taken a bribe in my life. There was a case when I had to give a bribe. It was a very difficult period in my life as we had financial problems. My son was diagnosed with diabetes and I needed to get a well-paid job so that I had money for treatment. They found such a job for me, but in return, they asked for a reward in the form of a bribe. During my life, I have worked at 6 universities in Kyrgyzstan, and here corruption is a usual thing. The students would never offer me a bribe because they knew what type of professor I was. […] A self-respecting person should not take bribes. Another story happened when I was a member of the commission in one of the universities in the town. After the work, I came home and found a ram, with a note of thanks which was brought by the father from one of the students. Immediately, I sent it back, following the written address to its owner.
Aksana Shanaeva, Sociology
— My first bribery experience happened while I was graduating from high school I had two “B” marks for Russian language and Math classes. One day my teacher came up to me and offered me to increase both of my grades for 1000soms. Unfortunately, there was no other option or opportunity to change my grades so I had to pay. A teacher told me to put money into the envelope and take it to the principal office. In addition, personally, I think that bribery drags our country down and makes it worse, but sometimes there is too much pressure so we are not able to avoid it.
Bribery exists almost everywhere in Kyrgyzstan: schools, universities, workplaces, government, etc. In a study by Transparency International, 47% of those who came into contact with the educational institution admitted to paying a bribe during a 12 month period. The World Bank found that 44.6 % paid bribes, of 500–1000 Kyrgyz Soms (about $7.00-$14.00) were to get help on exam in the last three years.
authors: Zuhro Azorabekova, Mariam Sulaimanova, Aiana Zholdoshbek
