Georgian Government for Open Governance
Within the framework of the
project “Georgian Government for Open Governance”, Tamar Sanikidze, Minister of
Education and Science of Georgia,” held a meeting with journalists. Minister introduced the projects
that started immediately after the change of the Government in Georgia. Tamar
Sanikidze also introduced the changes during the period of being in the office. After the end of the meeting, Tamar Sanikidze
answered the questions.
Already accomplished projects are:
- free textbooks
- school transportation
- free faculties
- free vocational education
- increased salaries of teachers, administration and technical personnel.
This is the list of major changes carried out during the period when Giorgi Margvelashvili was Minister of Education. These changes made education accessible for everyone.
Important changes were implemented after Tamar Sanikidze became Minister and the process is currently under way, namely (General Education):
- Inclusive education strategy and Action Plan for 2013-2016 was been prepared
- Integrated classes were opened in two public schools of Tbilisi for pupils with special educational needs.
- For the first time after 50 years the Ministry printed complete set of school textbooks with Braille transcript for blind and visually impaired pupils.
- Beginning form 2013, a school will be provided with a special teacher or a psychologist in case there is a pupil with special educational needs in a school. For the first time this year, educational programme of Special Teacher has been accredited and Ilia State University shall carry out this program from 2014.
- Works on two guidelines in inclusive education are under way.
- Works on creation of national model “Second chance to receive education” in State Education System are under way. The Program will enable children left beyond learning process (socially unprotected children, children who live and work in the streets) to become integrated in educational process
- Internet installation process is coming to an end.
- Standard for libraries and librarians was created
- Financing of public schools has increased based on location, number of pupils with special educational needs and components necessary for school development.
- Supplement to the salary for certified teachers is granted in proportion with class hours.
- More than 600 schools throughout Georgia have been rehabilitated; heating system have been installed in more than 80 schools. The process continues. Construction of nine new schools shall start in November.
- Psychology Center of the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions was opened in April 2013.
- “Professional orientation and career-planning courses” etc. were elaborated for pupils of 9th and 12th grades
Vocational Education
- Strategy for Vocational Education Development (2013-2020) and Private Sector Involvement in Vocational Education was elaborated.
- Transparent registration, enrollment and financing system have been established, barrier for moving on from step to the next has been abolished.
- Implementation of Inclusive vocational education has started.
- Rehabilitation of teaching buildings and workshops in 4 colleges of the regions is planned for the upcoming year.
Higher Education
- Amount of money allocated for financing bachelor students within social program has increased by 1.5 million GEL.
- Socially unprotected students who were enrolled based on the results of National Examinations 2012-2012 have been financed for the first time this year.
- Social program for Master students has started.
- State stipend for students has doubled.
- PhD studies will be financed for the first time.
- Summer and Winter schools have started.
- Program “Tsodnis Kari” has started operating with increased budget and new components.
The reforms in the direction of teachers’ professional development and certification, carried out during the previous years have not been fruitful. As a result of works in this direction, the Ministry has defined the following:
- Career development steps.
- Motivation ‘package’ and programs for the increase of qualification corresponding to each step.
- Professional standard according to career development steps.
- Instruments to assess teachers’ knowledge and skills.
- A model project has been elaborated proposing alternative ways to teachers. They will be provided with various means for evaluation and development. (Working on a special structure is under way in order to enable teachers to enter new scheme and maintain accumulated credits and certification results).
