New legislative changes were introduced in Samtskhe-Javakheti
This time, professors of Samtskhe-Javakheti University, heads of educational resource centers of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, and school principals familiarized themselves with the presentation on the new scheme for teacher activities, professional development, and career advancement, as well as higher education programs. The meeting was held by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, the Deputy Ministers, and experts working on the new scheme for teacher professional development and career advancement.
Due to the fact that the Samtskhe-Javakheti region is densely populated by ethnic minorities, the main emphasis at the meeting was placed on additional mechanisms for supporting the professional development and career advancement of non-Georgian-speaking teachers, as well as the development of their Georgian language competencies.
The previously existing system could not ensure the administration of either subject or professional skills examinations in their native language for teachers of general education schools for ethnic minorities. Naturally, all of this affects the teachers' activities and hinders their professional development. Furthermore, due to insufficient knowledge of the state language, teachers have low motivation to exert effort toward professional development.
Within the framework of the new policy for teacher professional development, teachers of schools in regions densely populated by ethnic minorities will undergo retraining in both subject and professional skills, and they will also have the opportunity to adequately master the Georgian language. All of this will contribute to improving the quality of teaching and learning in public schools of ethnic minorities and fostering the professional growth of each teacher participating in the program.
The working meeting also emphasized the university-level training of bilingual teachers as educators with additional qualifications. Starting from the new academic year, universities—including Samtskhe-Javakheti University—will launch "Integrated Teacher Preparation Programs and Multilingual Module." Offering these new university pedagogical programs is particularly important for young people in regions densely populated by ethnic minorities, as they will be able to develop locally into highly qualified professionals and strengthen the existing teaching corps.
Following the presentations, the meeting continued in a Q&A format, and the audience received answers to all their questions directly from the leadership of the Ministry.
