on 22 October ESFTUG Vice-President of Finance - Natia Kordzadze participated in discussion concerning new draft law on "Early Childhood and Preschool Education". ESFTUG supports the development of continuous education policy and applauds the initiative of creating the law that will regulate early childhood and preschool education. Ms Kordzadze underlined the problems including the duration of working hours for kindergarten teachers and the number of children per one teacher-caregiver.
The draft law concerns two stages of preschool education:
1. Early Childhood Education intended for children from birth to 2 years;
2. Preschool Education for children from 2 years until going to school.
Document stands on the principles that prohibits any kind of violation against children, including physical punishment, insult or bullying. The law will ensure parents' involvement in decision making process and creation of consultation boards. The duties and liabilities of central and local government as well as of particular Ministries are clearly determined. The novelty that the law offers is that authorisation of preschool education institutions becomes compulsory.
The draft law regulates the following issues:
- Forming groups according to childrens' age;
- The number of children in a group;
- The number of children per one teacher-caregiver.
After the presentation, participants could express their opinions and get answers to their questions.
