New School Model advances to implementation phase

The Chair of the Education, Science and Culture Committee, Genadi Margvelashvili attended the presentation of the framed document of system development of general education and the New School Model implementation further phase.

The presentation was also attended by the education specialists, NGOs, and international organizations, as well as the trade professional associations and other persons concerned.

Margvelashvili spoke about the New School Model and expressed support to the executive authority on behalf of the Committee.

“The New School Model is to help children develop numerous skills and give them the ability to think creatively, to solve various tasks,” noted Margvelashvili.

Margvelashvili said no child should be left behind the general education concept as the environment in schools shall facilitate their education and development of their skills and talents.

“On behalf of the Committee, I express intact support and our commitment to cooperation,” added the Chair of the Education, Science and Culture Committee.

The New School Model starts the new implementation phase in 2020-2021 and shall be introduced to every school countrywide. The implementation process shall be accomplished in 2024. So far, the New School Model has been applied to the I-IV grades solely and in February 2020, it shall involve the V-IX grades in 22 schools of Tbilisi.

The New School Model will be inculcated with the engagement of the resource centers through 23 working groups composed of 14 field experts, as well as the inclusive education and pre-school education specialists.

It is also noteworthy that the Ministry is developing a framework document for the systematic development of general education that will be finalized through the work of 12 expert groups. Importantly, the document builds on the experience the ministry has gained from implementing the “new school model” in 165 schools.

Consequently, the concept of education reform begins in the classroom and involves both public school and resource centers, as well as higher education institutions.

The main goal of the New School Model is to improve the quality of teaching, create a safe, student-centered and care-oriented educational environment that will provide students with the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Implementation of the reform began in the second semester of the 2018-2019 school year in 62 schools in five regions of Georgia. The main task of the project support groups is to help schools improve the education climate and teaching quality and to work with teachers on the principles of coaching.