"Teacher Preparation, Professional Development and Career Advancement"

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, attended a conference organized by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development of the Ministry of Education and Science. The event was attended by representatives of schools, educational resource centers, higher education institutions, non-governmental and international organizations, as well as the legislative body.

The conference was dedicated to the discussion of the "Teacher Preparation, Professional Development, and Career Advancement" scheme, and its work was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, higher educational institutions, international, and non-governmental organizations.

Within the framework of the new scheme, a systematic approach has been developed, which is focused on supporting teachers and their professional development. With the implementation of the scheme, the teaching profession will become even more valued and, at the same time, attractive to young personnel.

The Prime Minister spoke about the results achieved in terms of accessibility to education. According to his information, as a result of the implemented reforms, the annual household expenditure on general education has decreased by 60 percent; new schools are being built, more than 1,000 schools have been renovated, transportation serves more than 50,000 school students in villages; special services such as psychologist, special teacher, and now doctor services have been introduced in public schools; inclusive education has become accessible. As for the field of higher education, the Prime Minister focused on free tuition for 21 specialties and stated that the development of specific fields is necessary.

The main goal of introducing the "Teacher Preparation, Professional Development, and Career Advancement" system is to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

The document defines the necessary ways and means for entering the profession, professional development, and advancement, and creates preconditions for the regulation of the teacher's profession.

In 2015, additional financial resources will be allocated and the regulation of the teacher salary policy will begin; teacher salaries will continue to grow in the coming years as well, stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.