Minister of Education and Science, Dimitri Shashkini and Director of National Examination Center, Maia Miminoshvili held a briefing on Teachers’ Certification Exams.

Teachers’ Certification Exams that are designed to advance teachers’ qualification and improve the quality of teaching will be held on July 13, for the first time in Georgia. The process is voluntary and the results are confidential. If the teacher cannot cross the barrier, he/she will maintain job and will be able to take the exam again until 2014.

By the announcement of the Minister, teachers who will cross the barrier will receive increased salary and have an opportunity to work as mentor-teachers. Working as a mentor teacher envisages additional salary that amounts to 160 GEL. They will be also involved in the program of MES Teach for Georgia that is designed to send teachers to the regions with the lack of qualified staff. Teachers will receive the scholarship of 400 GEL together with the salary.

State finances teachers’ participation in the Certification Exams. National Examination Center will carry out preparation of the tests and holding exams. Around 14,000 teachers of Georgian Language and Literature, foreign language and mathematics will participate in the first round throughout the whole Georgia. Teachers will also pass exams in General Abilities and specialty. If they cross the minimal level that equals to 60 score, they will receive the status of certified teachers.

All teachers will pass Teachers’ Certification Exams by 2014 and they will be certified from 2014. This means advancement of teachers’ qualification and improvement of the quality of teaching.