Educators from 100 schools improve student-centered teaching skills thanks to the partnership between the Governments of Georgia, Estonia and UNICEF

Batumi, Georgia, July 5 2022 – Teachers and school principals from 100 schools of Georgia are better equipped with student-centered teaching methods, as a result of the tripartite partnership between the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, the Government of Estonia and UNICEF.

The programme aimed to improve the quality of education for children of Georgia through distance and on-site training, peer-training and coaching for educators on the quality of teaching and learning. The programme coveredpublic schools in Tbilisi, Guria, Abkhazia, Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Imereti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Racha-Lechkhumi, Kakheti, including schools in remote and mountainous areas and was focused on sharing the Estonian experience in teaching to contribute to the professional development of the participating educators.

The final conference of the tripartite project took place at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University with participation of the Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Adjara AR Ms. Maia Khajishvili, H.E. Ambassador of Estonia Ms. Riina Kaljurand, Head of Division of General Education and Curriculum Development of the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia Ms. Mariam Chikobava, and UNICEF Representative in Georgia Dr. Ghassan Khalil. At the conference, teachers and school administrators who participated in the project, shared the experience they gained throughout the programme and prepared presentations about planned activities for the nearest future. 

As part of the project, elementary school teachers were trained in competency-based teaching and learning methodology. Administration staff of these schools, and representatives of local Education Resource Centers were trained in managing educational environments and school administration. The trainings covered the following topics: student-centered learning, classroom management, formative assessment, national curriculum goals, and learning resources. Within the framework of the project, open seminars were held on child-centered teaching and teaching related policy in Estonia. A study visit to Tallinn was organized for principals and teachers from the schools involved in the project, where Estonian experts, teachers and school principals shared their experience with their Georgian colleagues.