Mikheil Chkhenkeli: "Each of you is a winner today, because you serve the most vital cause, which is the upbringing of the future generation"

With the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, and upon the initiative and organization of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development, the "Best Director of the Year" award ceremony was held for the first time in Georgia.

The title of the Best Director of 2019 was awarded to Teona Kacheishvili, Director of Tbilisi Public School No. 198, who received a special prize and a cash award from Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. The winner will also embark on a study visit to Zurich and visit the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).

Mikheil Chkhenkeli addressed the attendees and spoke about the importance of the new project by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development:

"Quality education is the top priority of our team, which is reflected in the historic decision according to which 6% of the gross domestic product, making up a quarter of the country's budget, will be spent on the development of the education sector. The ongoing comprehensive reform, which covers all levels of education, serves to increase quality. As you know, the 'New School Model' project is being implemented in general education, the concept of which implies creating a student-oriented learning environment using modern and innovative methodology.

I know very well that your daily work is difficult and responsible. I would like to thank you very much for serving the most important cause and caring for the future of our country. The Ministry's policy is to decentralize the general education system and grant schools greater autonomy. In this process, your role as school directors is particularly important. Today, a very interesting tradition has been established, initiated by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development. I believe that each and every one of you is a winner today, because you serve that vital, patriotic cause known as the upbringing of the future generation."

Caring for school development and raising the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring an inclusive environment, innovation, and effective resource management were the criteria based on which the 2019 Best Director was named.

This competition was held for the first time this year by the National Center for Teacher Professional Development. Berika Shukakidze, Director of the Center, announced the winners of the second and third places, and handed cash prizes to Gogi Todua, Director of the Public School of the Village of Rukhi in Zugdidi Municipality, and Mikheil Giorgadze, Director of Kutaisi Public School No. 30.

With the financial support of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development, the schools of the winning directors will be equipped with virtual physics laboratories. Students will be able to conduct experiments through a special computer multimedia program, which will make teaching this subject more interesting.

A special competition was held to identify the Best Director of the Year, in which public school directors of Georgia participated. The winner was selected by a jury composed of public and private school directors, trade union representatives, the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement, and the sectoral committee of the Parliament.