The Ministry Developed New Approval Regulations of School Textbooks
The working process on the new regulations of textbook approval ended at the Ministry of Education and Science. The new rules were presented by the Minister Shashkini and the director of the National Curriculum and Assessment Center, Natia Jokhadze to the Public Board members - parliamentary and non parliamentary political parties, Free Professional Unions, representatives of different NGOs and unions working on educational issues, as well as teachers, schoolchildren, parents, principles of schools and the representatives of publishing houses.
New rules and procedures of textbook approval were developed by the National Curriculum and Assessment Center to eliminate the blemishes existing in approving process nowadays. As a result, schools and schoolchildren will be provided with high quality textbooks.
The procedures of the competition were improved; the criteria of textbook evaluation methods were rigorously defined and technical parameters of textbooks including evaluation procedures and methodology were identified.
- The evaluation group was broadened - Subject matter experts as well as teachers and scientists will be actively involved in the textbook evaluation process. The final decision will be made by unified subject board.
- The size of textbooks, quality of paper, size of script were defined by technical parameters. The focus will be made on the quality of illustrations and etc.
- Specific standardized terms were established and textbooks will be accepted by schools only after meeting these standards.
- Textbooks evaluation criteria by teachers were also improved.
The main aim of adopting new rules of textbook approval is to bring these textbooks in compliance with the goals and objectives of the national curriculum and improve the quality of education as a whole. It is also noteworthy that schools will not be able to change approved textbooks for five years.
