Categories
Journalistic Survey
Articles
Reportage
Analitic
Photo Reportage
Exclusive
Interview
Foreign Media about Georgia
Editorial
Position
Reader's opinion
Blog
Themes
Children's Rights
Women's Rights
Justice
Refugees/IDPs
Minorities
Media
Army
Health
Corruption
Elections
Education
Penitentiary
Religion
Others

Gori Public Schools Lack Playgrounds and Fenced Grounds

May 14, 2008

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori

Gori based private public school “Atlanta” is located in the building of the Construction Company # 9 in Besiki Street in Kombinati district of Gori. It has neither play-ground, nor a stadium and its yard is not fenced. Because of lack of the yard children are in danger of getting hit by cars. However, teachers are on duty and take turns carefully watching the children.

Public Schools also have problems. For example, Public School # 9 does not have a yard and stadium. Public School # 4 has the same problems but it has a sport complex and it is currently being repaired The Human Rights Center (HRIDC) interviews Giorgi Sosiashvili, the head of the Gori Resource Center, about the issue.

-Mr. Giorgi, how private school “Atlanta” managed to obtain license when it does not have a stadium, play grounds and surrounded territory. Thus, the school does not meet modern requirements?

-Generally, all educational facility should have corresponding license. Special License Granting Department within the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science grants schools with those licenses. As for “Atlanta,” as it is a branch of Tbilisi based private school and consequently, according to the legislation, branches of private schools do not need to have license on their own accord. Thus, the problem is very real and parents of those attending private schools should demand that the school administration work to resolve the problem. Schools are competing with each other so school administrations should be concerned about their problems. The state is worried too and it is interested in developing both public schools and private schools. This is confirmed by the fact that private schools also receive voucher-funding from the state. In future, the licenses should be issued not only to main schools but for branches as well.

- There are several problems in public schools too - take for instance Public School # 9, it does not have an enclosed yard, stadium; Public School # 4 also does not have yard, etc.

-The Ministry of Education and Science implements presidential Mega-Program, “Iakob Gogebashvili’s Program.” According to it all public schools throughout Georgia must have been reconstructed before 2010. I agree with you, that there are many problems in Gori when it comes to school buildings. Every school is slowly being repaired and we think in the near future all public schools in the city will be an acceptable condition.

-What do you think, what will happen with Private School “Atlanta”?

-The issue of its closing down or not must be settled by the parents and the owners. If they resolve problems, the school will not be closed. Otherwise, the school is more likely to lose its license.

 

 

 

 

 

News