InterPressNews 10.03.2011
ESFTUG president – Maia Kobakhdize poses questions to the Minister of Education and Science:
It is against my principles to address someone with questions in this way but unfortunately we do not have any other possibilities. Despite ESFTUG’s willingness, the Ministry refuses to cooperate with the union; hence it continues to violate article 26, which obliges the Ministry to plan events concerning teachers’ qualification enhancement and to determine obligatory terms of labor agreements in cooperation with the trade union. We once again confirm our positive attitude to reforms in Education System; however we hold certain positions regarding particular aspects of the reform which worsen teachers’ social condition and violate their dignity.
I use my right to freedom of expression determined by Article 19 of the Constitution and publicly address you with the following questions, hoping that we will get answers to them as soon as possible.
1. Please explain, what are the criteria for selecting 12 000 teachers for professional trainings, if there are far more teachers registered for the certification exam of 2011?
2. As we know, according to “Teacher’s Professional Development Scheme” there will be three categories of teachers: second, first and highest. Teachers who will pass certification exams and get 21 credits will be automatically assigned to second category group. Credit accumulation is supposed to last for 7 years; hence it is a long process, which means that for the next 10 years we will not have First and Highest category teachers and we are concerned that it will affect prestige of teaching profession. Why does credit accumulation start over from zero after a higher category is reached? Why does teacher lose the category if he/she accumulates less than necessary credits?
3. Law of Georgia on Police prohibits using special means against pregnant women and young people. Please explain, will bailiffs make use of special means at school and if your answer is yes, please consider that most people at school are females and juveniles.
According to Law of Georgia on Public Education, bailiffs benefit from government health insurance and extra privileges of social security.
Please respond, why do social security policy for bailiffs are much better than the one for teachers?
4. The Minister of Education and Science issued an order #959 regarding “Approving Obligatory Terms of Labor Agreement between a School director and a Teacher” on 11 October, 2007. In October 4, 2010, several terms concerning dismissal procedures were deleted from the order. Please answer, why was it necessary to omit this passage from the order and why were not teachers and teachers union informed about this matter?
5. Why do not directors comply with your statement on 30 November, 2010 regarding their legal relations with the trade unions? Why are not we still allowed to carry out events at schools whilst “Education Syndicate” has greater advantages in this direction, as they hold meetings together with Educational Resource Centers and Local Municipality Officials?
ESFTUG which is an organization of 105 years, has been in crisis for the last 9 months.
ESFTUG is deprived of the possibility to involve in education reforms. Oppression of ESFTUG manifests your lack of respect to teachers and democratic processes in our country – added Maia Kobakhdize.