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Schools for Difficult Children Are about to Open in Tbilisi

July 27, 2007

2skolab.gifIn September, alternative schools for difficult children will be opened in Tbilisi because of increased number of crimes among juveniles. The idea of alternative schools was initiated by Ministry of Education and Science and Georgian General Prosecutor’s Office. Future pupils of alternative schools will be selected by a specially set up discipline committee. Initially, similar schools swill be opened only in Tbilisi and then in other regions as well.

Public opinion divides in two regarding the imitative. One part of people states that they will not send their children to similar school because they do not think juveniles will be improved there. Another part supports the idea of treating juveniles more severely.

Manana Nachkebia, a member of the Parliamentary Committee of Education and Science from the party of New Rights, opposes the initiative. She said that “we have studied corresponding English experience and I should assure you that there are not similar schools in England. However, the Minister of Education traveled to England to share the experience of English specialists However, psychologists advise that difficult children should be integrated with ordinary children; they must be brought up with love and tender and not in aggression. Establishment of alternative schools will result into the increased number of juvenile crimes.”

Neither several MPs from Parliamentary Majority liked the initiative. One of them is Elene Tevdoradze, the chairwoman of the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee.

“During Soviet Union we underwent similar situation. Then we had so-called boarding-schools for difficult children that did not profit anything. Unfortunately, the beneficiaries of those boarding-schools got into prisons later on. Thus, the topic needs serious consideration. I think alternative schools would not succeed to prevent the crime.”

Neither Nodar Grigalashvili, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Education and Science, appreciates the idea. He said that similar schools will require extra expenses and besides that he doubts we will benefit from growing up future generation at similar schools. “In our country nine-year-education is compulsory at school. The children in the ninth form are still little, so we can handle their behaviors at school. If a juvenile commits a crime, there is a law and we can punish him/her. But if s/he does not commit a crime and is only behaving badly or is a hooligan, the school must be able to improve him/her. As for education from 9th to 12th form it is optional and if similar pupil violates school regulations, school administration can dismiss him/her. If we open separate schools for difficult children, it will not be an ordinary school, it will be a building to keep children away from street. However, there are a lot of other buildings that can prevent children from spending their free time in the street. They are vocational institutions. Opening separate institutions will take extra expenses and will fail to have any positive results. Consequently, the government should consider the problem more carefully.”

Parents say that they would not send their children to similar schools. “I have a son and I am very concerned about the increased number of murders among juveniles. Your son might be a decent boy and does not have criminal friends but it does not mean that you are protected. Situation is terrible. The government should take some urgent measures. I am not professional in the field and cannot offer you any idea. However, I do not appreciate the initiative of opening alternative schools. Children will not definitely improve in similar institution, just the opposite-if so many criminal juveniles gather in one building they will commit worse things. God will save me, but if they try to take my son to similar school, I will not definitely let them. Although a boy might once make a mistake and commit some hooliganism, it does not mean he is a difficult child and must be sent to alternative school where he will be completely spoiled,” said a parent, Mariam Tabidze.

Parents of girls have different ideas regarding alternative schools for difficult children. They prefer to keep their daughters away from similar boys.

Soso Devdariani is a father of 12-year-old girl. “I do not support the idea of establishing the institution where criminal juveniles will be brought together. However, I think that difficult children must be kept away from ordinary school. It is very difficult for a parent when s/he knows that his/her daughter has a class-mate who is impolite, rude and ill-mannered. Similar boy can insult your girl any time. Another problem is that most pupils go to school with knives. A normal pupil does not want to be close to similar class-mate and they are abused that might result in a serious accident. Finally, I would say that difficult children must not learn at ordinary schools.”

Eka Gulua

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