Deputy Minister of Education, Science,
Culture and Sport - Irina Abuladze held a meeting with Peter Wibler - USAID
Mission Director, and Adam Schmidt – the Head of Democracy and Social
Development department. During the meeting, the parties touched upon the US
Government Support Program in the Education Sector, specifically the USAID's
successful cooperation in promoting elementary and civic education in Georgia.
The guests expressed full readiness to promote the scope of education reform
within the framework of new initiatives. For this purpose, in addition to the
US grant funding, two additional new projects will be launched in 2019.
The new project will focus on general
education sector, namely, the creation of environmental oriented environment in
primary education level, as well as for the development of literacy,
mathematics, innovation and high thinking skills amongst students and pupil
alike; Professional development modules, supporting resources will be
developed; also, attention will be paid to improving the quality of teacher
training programs. Through USAID grant financing, the vocational education
sector will focus not only on strengthening cooperation with the state sector
but also for the intensification of private sector, small and medium
businesses.
At the meeting the sides discussed the
current and planned reforms of the Ministry in different directions of
education. The guests were very positive about teachers' pay policy, offering a
reward for teachers of retirement age and positive feedback from teachers.
"Cooperation with foreign and international partners is
important for the Ministry in the implementation of the reform process, not
only financially but also by international experts in terms of technical support,"
- noted Deputy Minister.