Action for preschools improvement in Georgia

Kindergartens reduction in Georgia contributes to the spread of diseases among children and the preschool education degradation. This was the key note of the action organized by the Educators and Scientists Trade Union of Georgia.

In the center of Tbilisi, the organizers have set a makeshift cage (a wooden structure tied with ropes) where about 15 kids were playing like in a play pen. They had T-shirts with slogans "I want nice books!", "I want to play!", "I want tasty food!", "I want to paint!", "I want a clean room!", "Wash my hands!", "Teach me!" Nearby the parents were holding placards with requirements to improve preschool education in the country.

"The purpose of our actions is to draw attention to the problem of children and the problem of preschools and early child education in Georgia. Children are in a difficult situation, as well as their parents and teachers", said the organizer of the action, President of the Educators and Scientists Trade Union of Georgia Manana Gurchumelidze, as quoted by news agency "News-Georgia".

According to Gurchumelidze, in the past 3 years, the number of preschools in Tbilisi was reduced by 200, and those remaining changed their status of preschools for educational institutions.

As a result, 35-40 kids are placed in one room today that often causes the spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, it is very difficult for one educator to cope with so many small children, say nothing of a full attention to each of them.

"If the educators are given back their status of educators, they will receive decent wages, will work with small groups and will be happy that will also affect lesson quality. The children will be happy and satisfied, and, respectively, their parents as well", "Georgia Online" quotes Gurchumelidze.