Teachers Received Netbooks as Presents Under Special Conditions

In parallel to assigning net-books to the first-grade pupils, parents have to sign contracts containing special conditions for the utilization of the net-books. Parents of pupils of several Tbilisi based public schools informed the Commersant about it.

The parents said, according to the contracts, the children will receive computers for four-year ownership. If the net-book gets wrong, the government is not responsible to repair it and parents will have to pay 450 GEL for it.

The first-grade pupils will have to carry the net-books to school every day.

Lali Rozomashvili from the press-center of the Ministry of Education categorically denies the information about similar requirements and said that if the net-book is damaged, the producing company will repair it for free. “It is a present and how can we impose fines on pupils?” said Rozomashvili.

Director of Public School # 24 Gia Murghulia said they really sign contracts with parents though nothing is mentioned about fines in it. Though the price of the computer – 450 GEL - is input in the contract.

Consequently, if a pupil damages the net-book, the parent will have to buy the new one for 450 GEL. Consequently, they will have to repair other damages with their own money.

“The program was too expensive for the state budget though it was reasonable expenditure. Nevertheless, pupil shall take care of the computer and not to damage it. The state will not repair it. Of course, I do not mean producing defect, of course” said Murghulia. He added that net-books are assigned to pupils not for temporary possession but as presents. The net-books will be taken away from the pupil, if she/he moves to a private school where the state program does not work.

Comersant