“The culture of book fostering” – a presentation held for the senior students of the Duisi village public school, by the Korneli Kekelidze National Center of Manuscripts of Ministry of Education and Science, a school project specially designed for the Pankisi Gorge. The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia – Ms. Tamar Sanikidze and the director of Korneli Kekelidze National Center of Manuscripts – Mr. Zaza Abashidze, spoke about the importance and main objectives of the above-mentioned project.

The project aims at, based on the theoretical and practical knowledge, to enhance the ability of children to take care of the books, and develop and raise the culture of treating the books in a correct manner. Besides that, the project also aims to study the physical conditions of the books at the libraries of educational institutions, and if needed conduct their rehabilitation process. Consequently, this will significantly improve the current situation at school libraries, and will promote the book restoration philosophy amongst the youth.

In recent years, a number of important projects were implemented in schools of Pankisi Gorge. In particular, in 2015, in order to develop the local socio-economic situation, in conjunction with motivating the local community, the Ministry of Education and Science funded 12 projects under the format of “school initiatives reform” (total of 32,000 GEL). Additionally, to promote the social inclusion program, a book club was launched, which unifies the Kist, Chechen and Akhmeta district public school adolescents in the region. Together, they discuss the important issues, prepare performances, and take part in school competitions; the project “Film at schools” is working successfully.

From the beginning of 2016-2017 academic year, the students of 10th, and 11th grade in Pankisi Gorge will have the opportunity to study “Entrepreneurship”, and at the same time, two “micro companies” will be opened at two public schools. The students will have the opportunity to actually experience the learning process, in terms of forming a business idea, founding the company, undertaking the business operations, and constructing and managing the entire process. English language courses will be opened at schools funded by the Ministry, which will help to increase the level of Engkish, which will greatly affect the tourism in the valley.