Mikheil Chkhenkeli: "Our main concern is the well-being of the child, regardless of whether they study in a public or a private school"

While delivering a speech in Parliament, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, spoke extensively about the measures to be implemented in private schools that will contribute to student safety.

“It is now extremely important that these processes begin in private schools as well, and that the Ministry strengthens its support for the implementation of these processes. First and foremost, this implies the high-level professional training of persons responsible for safety in private schools. Our main concern is the well-being of the child, regardless of whether they study in a public or a private school. I believe that new legislative regulations are also needed. Specifically, it is necessary to develop and introduce a new authorization standard for private schools.  These standards must ensure a safe  and caring environment for the student  and establish high criteria of accountability before society. It is necessary to strengthen interagency cooperation with the Ministries of Health, Internal Affairs and Justice, and to deepen the role of non-governmental organizations.

As you know, in this regard, we were instructed by the Prime Minister to implement specific measures and work on a concrete plan has already begun. Within a few days,  we will present a precise and time-bound plan that includes both legislative and practical initiatives as well as the creation of new services.  For several days now, an interagency group has been holding meetings at the Government Administration and working on this issue.

All of this is necessary, but not sufficient. Problems cannot be solved through administrative means alone. It is essential to develop the school process itself: the role of the homeroom teacher must be enhanced in order to identify the needs and capabilities of each student and ensure an appropriate response; the involvement of students and parents themselves in the daily life of the school and in the processes of identifying and solving problems must be increased. To this end, it is necessary to develop electronic resources and increase the accessibility of resources for parents,  teachers and the school community;

In order to reduce negative tendencies among young people and, most importantly, for their full development, we consider it particularly important to involve students in creative activities and to develop non-formal education through interest groups, clubs, as well as artistic and sports directions,” stated Mikheil Chkhenkeli during his speech in Parliament.