The teachers’ certification exams will be carried out this year in Georgia for the first time. The exams are voluntary and it is financed by the government. Many teachers expressed the wish to improve the qualification. The motivation is high – certified teachers will receive increased salary. They will also have an opportunity  to  work  as a mentor-teachers .

The applying process has begun and it will continue until March, 31. After registration, the government will give the teachers vouchers of 160 GEL to finance the educational process. Firstly, the teachers of Georgian Language and Literature, mathematics and foreign languages will take the exams. Unemployed teachers, who had worked at least a year, can also advance their qualification.

The certification exams will be held in two dimensions: besides the subject high competence, the teachers will have to express the knowledge of modern teaching methodologies. So they will have to pass subject and ability exams.

The Teacher Professional Development Center has already prepared the necessary certification literature for participants. It is accessible for every teacher. This material will help them to get prepared for the exams.

The Minister of Education and Science, Dimitri Shashkini: “It is to be welcomed the teachers met the certification exams positively. The certification is not our major goal, we need qualified cadres, whose social conditions and status will significantly improve after passing these exams. The government supported the project financially, the teachers studying is financed with vouchers of 160GEL. Teachers, their certification, existence of qualified cadres are the main priorities of the Ministry. We will do our best to protect  and  support  teachers. “

The teachers, who will not be able to pass the exams, will maintain their jobs. They will have opportunity to take the exams again if they wish so.

The  teachers  certification will finish in 2014. The exams will be carried out twice a year – in July and January.