Who buys textbooks for Dimitri Shashkini’s child?

Will laptops replace the textbooks?

“Tbiliselebi” 10-16 May

Author: Tamuna Samadashvili

Ongoing Educational reform attracts public’s particular attention. It is natural, because all people  are in touch with education. Since, Dimitri Shashkini has been appointed as the Minister of Education and Science, many initiatives have been implemented in the education system. Public evaluated them in different ways. We spoke with Minister Shashkini about new Curriculum and about replacement textbooks with laptops.

Mr. Shashkini, public variably responded to the President’s initiative on giving classes to the first graders by utilizing computers. How do you think, is it possible to replace textbooks with laptops?

Unfortunately, our society is characterized with conspiracy theories. As the Minister, I believe permanent communication with the public is necessary.but so called experts exist, who understand the sense of reforms but spread disinformation through media. A lot of people remember the President’s speech in Kutaisi. He announced, this project will be held in pilot schools in September, 2010. Batumi, Zugdidi and Tserovani schools, also three schools from Kutaisi and three - from Tbilisi will be among them. All first graders of these schools will receive laptops free of charge. This program was established by the experts of UN. Whole world was involved in creating computers for children. All first graders will receive the laptops as well as textbooks. We will present with computers 2500 first graders, who study at pilot schools in September. Teachers of these schools will pass special one month training courses in August in order to study the rules of using these computers in the educational process. Educational programs in Georgian Language and Literature, mathematics, foreign languages and logic will be downloaded in these laptops. Other subject matter material will be also downloaded for the children who have no possibility of buying  textbooks. Besides the textbooks, schoolchildren have to read many other books. Unfortunately, many families have no possibility to buy books for their children. In order to solve this problem, MES will finish creating new portal “Vakhtang VI”. Children can find all auxiliary literature there. We were buying textbooks for our first graders in the past, I think this is not right. This year, my daughter enters the school. I cannot understand,why the government have to buy textbooks for her? The Government allocated 8mln Gel in order to support all schoolchildren from vulnerable families with textbooks regardless their grade. So, talking on the replacement of the textbooks with laptops is unjustifiable.

We hold cooperation with three companies on agreement. One of them is Bulgarian company. We received proposals from Microsoft and Intel.

Problems of textbooks existed because of the lack of National Curriculum. How are you going to solve this problem?

Textbook problems will be solved for 2012. Unfortunately, many mistakes were made this issue. For a period, Government rejected to use tools of regulation. As a result, many textbooks of low quality were created and a lot of dissatisfaction exists. National Curriculum will be introduced in September, 2010. It will be adopted in 2011 in 1-6 grades. Curriculum will be adopted in secong stage in 2012, and the third stage – in 2013. All authors and publishers will have to make the books in compliance with National Curriculum. The lack of compulsory component also was rising problems. Component of 60% will be defined in the new National Curriculum, and this will also solve the problem of textbooks. The cost of the textbooks is the second problem. Before the present, standards did not exist. Since the present these technical standards are being created. All approved textbooks will have own price.  We did our best to persuade publishing houses to decrease prices of the books. National Curriculum also envisages replacing physical fitness with sports lessons, introducing computer lessons as compulsory subject, civil defence and safety will be taught separately.

Teachers’ certification begins in July. What about the teachers, who cannot pass the exams?

80,000 teachers work in Georgia. But only 20,000 candidates expressed willingness to participate in the first round of certification in Georgian Language and Literature, mathematics and foreign languages. Programs in other subjects will be prepared for 2011. More than 15,000 teachers applied among 20,000. They understand, certification is not punishment, it is support to advance qualification. Certification will be compulsory from 214. Now, it is voluntary. So, we agreed to keep confidentially personality of the teachers regardless they pass or not the exams and maintain jobs. This mechanism will work until the compulsory exams. We do our best to support the teachers. We presented them with vouchers of 160 Gel in order to contact private companies and advance qualification.

Schoolchildren rights became especially popular in recent time. How does government protect teachers’ rights, are you going to increase their salary or social aid?

The President noted, all certified teachers will receive increase salary. They will have opportunity to work as mentor-teachers and receive additionally 160 Gel. Besides, the Ministry has launched two new projects: We have lack of teachers in mountainous regions of Georgia. We also need qualified teachers of Georgian language in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Shida Qartli. Teachers of Georgian Language and Literature will be given opportunity to work in regional schools of ethnic minorities. They will receive supplement amounted to 1000 Gel besides the salary. The teachers sent in mountainous regions, will receive additionally 500 Gel. Teacher pays everyday costs independently. We are trying to increase salary of the teachers who know foreign e and computer skills.

Public differently evaluated the new project of the Guards, initiated by MES. The Guards have already entered the schools. How did they integrate within schools?

Fortunately, most part of the society positively evaluates this fact. Every parent wants his child to study in secure environment. I think this project will become one of the most successful ones. 22 guards have been entered seven pilot schools for three weeks. They easily integrated in the schools. The problems, we did not know before, were identified. Guards will enter all Tbilisi   Public Schools step by step from September. Then they will enter schools in big cities. The competition is very strict. Only 47 passed the third stage among 700 candidates. Guards’ institute confirmed, the facts of violence exist not only among the schoolchildren, but also the schoolchildren and teachers.

The Guard has no right of punishment. He discovers fact of violence and writes the report in three copies – One for the Ministry, for the School Principal the third copy he keeps for himself. The Ministry asks the principals reaction on these reports. General Inspection will strictly observe the Guards.  We know the facts of violence from teachers. I understand, teachers can get annoyed with Guards rebukes, but teachers shouldn’t smoke or read the newspapers in the class room.

Mr. Shashkini, higher educational institution entrance and graduate exams will be held in joint form in the next year. Which subjects will the schoolchildren pass? What can you say about the cross level between these two exams? When will you introduce the new education program?

We sent letters to all schools. You can find them on the web-site of MES. The pre-test will be created for May 15-17.  In order to receive the diploma, schoolchildren will have to pass minimal competency level in Georgian Language and Literature, history, chemistry, physics, biology, geography. General ability tests will be added to 8 compulsory exams. If the schoolchild doesn’t wish to continue studying in higher educational institution, he receives the certificate and begins working or enters the Vocational education and training center. The government will finance passing the minimal competency level exam.