Here are some facts about Ukraine’s educational system: About 33 percent of Ukrainians admitted to giving bribes for education in the past year, according to recent Transparency International findings. Petro Melnyk, the former rector of the Tax Academy is living testimony to corruption in universities. He was caught red-handed receiving bribes for enrolling two students, and then escaped from house arrest as his case was being heard in court. So much for an educator’s moral standards.

But corruption is just one of many problems in this sector. Despite spending more money as a percentage of gross domestic product on education than many developed countries, the standards of education in Ukraine are slipping every year, and seem to be at a critical point.

As we researched stories for this week’s focus on education, we found that many of Ukraine’s businesses have given up hope that they can hire adequate employees trained within the existing education system. Many of them offer on-the-job training as a result and even open corporate universities to ensure there is a steady supply of skilled workers.

One sphere where the problem is evident is Ukraine’s promising IT sector, which is set to grow sixfold in the next five years, but is already short of skilled specialists. Paradoxically, there is a huge demand for IT training, with 12 school graduates competing for each place in top universities that offer such trainings. But only 30 percent of graduates end up being employable – testimony to the huge gap between industry needs and curriculum.

Moreover, there is a shortage of qualified teachers as state universities offer low salaries that cannot compete with the private sector. As a result, pupils are taught by those whom the industry rejects.

The nation’s Education Ministry part of the problem for its interference with independent universities and promotion of backward standards. This is why a recent presidential award to Education Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk is absurd. He received a Yaroslav the Wise Order of IV degree on Independence Day. Its motto is “Wisdom, Honor, Glory” – the exact opposite of the state of Ukraine’s education system.