Corruption and its impact on education: a case in Omsk

Bribery, through money, gifts, or exchange of favors, is common in the Omsk educational system. A student is obliged to pay 15000 Rubles for the 5th grade, 10000 Rubles for the 4th grade, and 5000 Rubles for the 3rd grade entering exams. A reform of the Russian education system is now underway. It involves, among other initiatives, establishing a Common State Exam, changing to a 12 year average education, decreasing the number of provincial schools, and changing how the government distributes education funds. None of these reforms will address the corruption that exists in the education system. The author recommends, as alternative to the present educational reform project, that Russian firms invest money in educational funds and that they finance special projects at schools and universities.