Georgian-Estonian cooperation in the field of education will also continue in future
01.11.2017

Within the framework of visit to Georgia, President of the Republic of Estonia Kersti Kaljulaid visited # 150 Tbilisi Public School, where she personally got acquainted with the course and results of educational program that are implemented on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Government of Georgia and the Government of Estonia. The goal of cooperation is to share experience and practice in the field of general education, introduce the innovations and challenges that take place in the sphere of education.

The President of Estonia was hosted by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Minister of Education and Science Alexander Jejelava. The event was also attended by Estonian Ambassador to Georgia Kai Kaarelson, representative UNICEF Laila Omar Gad and representatives of schools and universities participating in the program.

It has been noted several times at the meeting how important Georgia-Estonia partnership is, especially in the field of education. The Minister of Education and Science of Georgian thanked the President of Estonia for support and talked about future cooperation.

In order to encourage the introduction of digital technologies in the educational process, guests have provided computer technology (laptops, projectors and screens) and certificates to partner schools.

The National Curriculum Department of the Ministry of Education and Science has been actively cooperating with the Ministry of Education and Research of Estonia and Foundation INNOVE since 2014. Within the framework of cooperation, the National Curriculum Department has hosted Estonian experts many times. National Curriculum was planned and is being revised with involvement of Estonian experts. As a result, the National Curriculum of primary education for 2018-2024 years is already revised and approved.

By cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the project “Strengthening Access to Quality Education for Georgian Children” involves 15 pilot schools from Tbilisi and regions of Georgia- Tbilisi N150, Tbilisi N156, Zestaponi N6, Rustavi N6, Sagarejo N1, Tbilisi N18, Tbilisi N86, Tbilisi N11, Tbilisi N123, Rustavi N7, Rustavi N25, Zestaponi N1, village Manavi of Sagarejo municipality Sagarejo N4 Public Schools and Cervantes Gymnasium “Aia-Gess”.

Based on the project, in May 2017, within the official visit to Tallinn, directors of 15 pilot schools got acquainted with general education system and training practice of Estonia. In June and September 2017, trainings were conducted for the pilot schools with the participation of National Curriculum Department and Estonian experts. The training envisaged involvement of all persons responsible for the introduction of National Curriculum: Director - Deputy - Teacher of Primary School; Particular attention was paid to the possibility of integration of ICT technologies into the process.

This cooperation will also continue in 2018 and within its framework various activities promoting implementation and development the National Curriculum will be planned.