First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Koka Seperteladze awarded 20 winner teachers of the program ”Georgian – Second Language” with certificates.
The program was initiated by the President in 2009. National Center for Teacher Professional Development has been implementing it. The full title of the program is Qualified Teachers in the Regions of Ethnic Minorities. Teachers being involved in the program receive the salary that amounts to 1,000 GEL (it does not depend on the working hours). Teachers teach in Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti regions of ethnic minorities.
They teach in schools as well as establish non-school groups for grown-ups, teachers and parents in order to learn the Georgian language. The program is various and it enables all willing candidates to take part in it.
Around 1,000 teachers expressed willingness to take participation in the program in 2009-2010. 64 participants were selected according the testing and interviewing.
The winners were trained by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development. They passed trainings and learned the teaching methodology as well as Azerbaijanian and Armenian speaking languages.