The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, provided information to the deputies about the projects implemented by the Government of Georgia to support Ukrainian students.
As the minister stated, in 2022, owing to the decision of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr. Irakli Gharibashvili, the Ukrainian-language sector was established at the 41st public school named after Mikheil Grushevsky in Tbilisi and the 20th public schools in Batumi, and due to high demand, for the 2022-2023 academic year, the 220th public school will host, another Ukrainian-speaking sector. As a result, Ukrainian students have the opportunity to receive general education in their native language in Georgia. Mikheil Chkhenkeli noted that within the curriculum, students of the Ukrainian-speaking sector study both compulsory and optional subjects. Along with the subjects determined by the Ukrainian curriculum, students will study the Georgian language and literature, the subject "Our Georgia" and the history of Georgia. In addition, non-formal education circles are provided for schoolchildren - in the direction of sports, music, and technology.
The minister paid special attention to offering Ukrainian students a study program that meets the requirements of the educational system of Georgia and Ukraine, which will give them the opportunity to continue their studies after returning to their homeland.
"The educational program offered to Ukrainian students corresponds to the requirements of the educational system of Georgia and Ukraine, so that after returning to their homeland, each of them can continue their education at the appropriate level. In addition, all students of the Ukrainian-speaking sector are provided with school resources and books, and free transportation is also provided for students -" stated Minister Chkhenkeli.
It should be noted that according to the decision of the Government of Georgia, students who, as a result of hostilities started in Ukraine, cannot continue receiving general education in their homeland and express their desire to continue their studies in Georgia, are enrolled at schools in an expedited manner. According to the available data, more than 2300 students of different ages are already enrolled in Tbilisi and the regions. At this stage, more than 1500 children continue to receive general education in the Ukrainian-speaking sector in Tbilisi and Batumi.
More than 60 teachers from Ukraine and Ukrainian-speaking citizens of Georgia are employed at the Ukrainian sectors. In addition, the service of the educational institution's mandator provides psycho-social support for Ukrainian students. Specialists from Ukraine have also been appointed as heads of the Ukrainian-speaking sector.
In order to support Ukrainian students and integrate them with their Georgian peers, this year, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the City Hall of Tbilisi and the Government of Adjara, sports festivals and cognitive-entertainment events were held in Tbilisi, Kachreti and Batumi, which allowed Georgian and Ukrainian students to get to know each other better. And it was a great opportunity to make friends.
It should be noted that the representatives of international organizations - UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Georgia gave the highest assessment to the opening of the Ukrainian-speaking sector in Georgia and the projects implemented for Ukrainian children and thanked the Georgian government for supporting Ukrainian students. The Minister of Education of Ukraine Sergey Shkarlot also thanked Georgia for standing by the Ukrainian children.