Educational projects implemented in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region

Within the framework of the project "Government of Georgia for Open Government", Lia Gigauri, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, presented a presentation on the projects implemented by the Ministry in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region regarding educational and infrastructural directions. The presentation was attended by State Representative-Governor Akaki Machutadze, representatives of public services and the non-governmental sector, as well as journalists.

Education is one of the state's main priorities. A new strategy has been developed, focusing on the quality of education, accessibility, and the growth of institutional development and funding. Socially-oriented programs have been elaborated. The curriculum is undergoing revision and development, and a professional development scheme for teachers is being formulated. In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region alone, subject-matter training was completed by 825 teachers in 2013, and by 1,057 teachers in 2014. In total, there are 5,512 teachers in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. All public schools are provided with internet and computers, "Book" laptops have been distributed to first-graders, and computers to first-grade homeroom teachers. Within the framework of the safe and healthy school concept, the following services have been introduced:

General education is accessible to everyone. In the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, 26,062 students of public schools and 6 students of private schools benefit from free textbooks, while 1,377 students from 52 schools are served by free school transport. Inclusive education involves 141 students with special educational needs and 22 special teachers.

Within the framework of infrastructural projects, 67 public schools have been rehabilitated over the past two years.

Partial rehabilitation of the educational building of the "Opizari" Public College is planned, along with the adaptation of the infrastructure to the needs of students with special educational needs, the construction of a livestock farm, and the setup of workshops complying with modern technologies. Furthermore, in cooperation with JSC "Borjomi", a new vocational educational institution will be established in the city of Borjomi.

For the purpose of encouraging and motivating students, 1 public school (1,000 GEL) was funded within the framework of the school initiatives program. In 2013-2014, 93 distinguished students of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region were awarded gold medals, and 99 students received silver medals. To raise civic awareness, 35 civic clubs were established.

At the Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration, 617 public servants from the Samtskhe-Javakheti region were retrained. The school's objective is to teach the state language to representatives of ethnic minorities employed in the public sector.