Newspaper “Kviris Palitra”, Septemer 13-20

“Only 5% of the school children passed the extern exams that is the result of the knowledge, received at home”

Izo Rikadze

Minister of Education and Science of Georgia, Dimitri Shashkini spoke about new initiatives and innovations of the new academic year.

Mr. Shashkini, as it turned out, around 8,000 entrants could not cross the minimal competency level in Unified Entry Exams. Was the reason the low level of knowledge or hard exam tasks?

I cannot say that conditions at schools became worse in one year. The reason that the large number of entrants could not become students was the fourth exam. 10^t, 11^th and 12^th graders were missing the lessons. They only studied 3 subjects they had to pass for enrolling in higher educational institution. We received the result. Entrants better passed exams in Georgian, general abilities and foreign languages and could not pass the fourth exam in the selective subject, particularly – mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology. These are really difficult subjects and when the student misses the lessons it becomes hard to pass exams in these subjects. Only 5 % of the students passed extern exams. This is the result of the knowledge, received at home.

The results of teachers’ certification exams were not good as well. Only 12 % of the teachers could pass the certification exams.

Certification is voluntary until 2014. Teachers of Georgian language and literature, foreign languages and mathematics took these exams this year. Only 20,000 teachers could take exams. 10,000 among 20,000 (that is the high indicator) voluntary took part in exams in order to check their knowledge. The aim of certification is to advance the qualification and teachers understood this correctly. Almost all teachers from 10,000 passed only one exam – in general abilities (they were passing two exams – exam in subject and general abilities). As the process will last for 4 years, they decided to get prepared in one subject during one year and the other year – in the second subject. They knew that they could not receive the certificate only in one exam. We will see the real result of certification the next year when teachers will pass the second exam. Teachers, who will not pass the certification exams, will not be able to work at school from 2014.

The organization hours will be changed from the new academic year. Natural science subject teaching hours are increased. Trimester studying is abolished. This was a mistake. School children studied one subject for one trimester. We developed Abituri program for the 12^th graders – the school offers the students several hours for the graduation exams. They will repeat everything. We developed new subject at schools. According to the Sysco standard, three-level teaching of computer is introduced at schools. If the student wishes, he/she will master the profession of programmer. This year we began to pilot teaching of World Culture. This subject will be introduced in all schools from the next year. Teaching of Civil Defence and Safety will be compulsory as well. 3,000 first graders are provided with netbooks. These school children will be taught English language form the first form. Music lessons will be integrated in dance classes from January in all schools of Tbilisi.

From now on, the school will begin on September 15. The first semester will be finished on December 24. New Year holidays will last from December 24 till January 20. The 1^st and the 12^th graders will finish studying on May 20. Running holidays will be introduced for Easter. They will begin on BIG Thursday and finish the next Wednesday. Besides, we took care for the vulnerable families. 1-12^th graders from vulnerable families will be provided with the free textbooks.

Quality of teaching at higher educational institutions is often criticized. Opponents say that previously better specialist were prepared at the universities.

270 higher educational institutions operate in Georgia nowadays. 200 of them is licensed and 70 – accredited. State does not recognize the diploma of the licensed higher educational institutions. Around 20,000 students study at these institutions. Management of these institutions deceives these students and tells them that state recognizes their diplomas. In reality, authorized higher educational institutions issue the diplomas that are recognized by the state. The program and not systemic accreditation is being held from September 1. From now on, the institution will receive accreditation according to the intellectual base and resource and not the area and number of computers. According to the new law, higher educational institution will not be able to raise the tuition fee independently. Resolution of the Government will be necessary for raising the tuition fee.

What did MES decide about holding the graduation and entrance exams together?

They will be held separately. For the first time in the post- Soviet space, so called Cat system will be probed. This gives opportunity to assess the general education knowledge objectively. Graduation exams will be held in all schools at the same time (for the wiling people who want to continue studying at higher educational institutions. People who do not want to study at higher educational institutions,  will receive certificates). School exams will be held in 8 subjects. Student will go to school, sit at the computer and answer the questions in the presence of an observer. If the student successfully answers the first question, the next one will be more difficult, if he/she do not give the correct answer, following question will be easier. The program checks the knowledge and the student receives answers at the place. Entrant passes the Unified Entry Exams at the examination centers after passing the graduation exams.

How many English language foreign teachers will arrive in Georgia – 1,000 or 10,000? Questions arise about their qualification as well. Are they teachers by profession?

The President asked to recruit 1,000 teachers by the end of the year. We implemented this task. But we should increase the number by the next year. The following 3 months will identify the required number of teachers.

These are the certified teachers. Teachers who are on the pension are included in the second group. They are interested in Georgia. MA students of the last course, as well as people who worked in the Peace Corps are included in the third group. Teachers who want to arrive in Georgia pass the registration in the USA and Canada. They should pass the heath care test. Reference from the Ministries of Internal Affairs of their countries is required as well.

I want to ask the reasons you requested Prosecutor’s Office to hold investigation  in MES.

MES will not allow anyone to violate the law. The general inspection of MES had some questions so representatives of the Prosecutor’s office came in MES and check the documents of 2005-2009 years. Representatives of Chamber of Control work in MES as well. They hold investigation during my office.

What was the reason the Rector of Tbilisi State University resigned?

As the Minister I have no right to have influence on any higher educational institution. Each university is autonomous. I have no right to appoint or dismiss the rectors. I only wish that Mr. Kvitashvili will be the best rector in Georgia.

What pretensions does Tea Tutberidze and Institute of Freedom have?

I only want to say that organization without connections to the educational system, should not have influence on this system.