"The more we will be, the stronger we will be... the stronger our organization will be, the better will be protected social, economic and legal rights of the teachers" - with these words, Lela Sherazadashvili, the head of the ESFTUG’s Oni branch organization, addressed the conference delegates during her activity report.

The head of Oni branch organization gave special thanks to the ESFTUG’s president Maia Kobakhidze for participation in the conference and addressed to her on behalf of Oni branch organization:

"Oni's branch organization is intensely watching to our organization's activity, your visit is particularly important, because today every delegate and invited guest will be given more opportunity to listen to the organization's activities and to address the current issues."

ESFTUG’s Oni branch organization’s reporting-election conference was held on May 24. Delegates elected by ESFTUG’s primary organizations in eight public schools of Oni Municipality, as well as ESFTUG’s Executive Vice President Mari Alugishvili and Vice-President Natia Kordzadze, head of Oni Educational Resource Center Nino Metreveli, representative of Oni Municipality Eka Maisuradze, principal of Sheubni public school Eter Chikviladze, principal of Gloli public school Maia Grigalashvili, principal of Pipileti public school Zhuzhuna Lobzhanidze attended the conference. The conference was chaired by the teacher of Sheubni public school, the active member of the ESFTUG Tamar Razmadze.

"The ESFTUG unites more than 40,000 members. Oni municipality is a small region but it is noteworthy that the ESFTUG’s primary organizations are functioning in 8 schools from 9 public schools. It is nice to know that the employees from only one kindergarten in Oni region expressed their willingness to join our big trade union family” - said Ms. Lela and thanked the members for support, active cooperation and trust. She expressed her hope that in the future the number of members will increase. Lela Sherazadashvili thanked head of Oni Municipality Educational Resource Center Nino Metreveli, Municipality City Hall and principal of kindergarten Mzia Gobejishvili for their effective social partnership.

ESFTUG’s President Maia Kobakhidze spoke about the results of the work of the organization. She thanked the regional administration for cooperation and said: "Today we have all the conditions to strengthen the trade union on the local level, the regional administration supports ESFTUG’s Oni branch organization, cooperates with the trade union and promotes its development, which gives Lela the protection of the rights of employees. But the power of the trade union depends on the activity of the members and not the leaders' efforts."

Maia Kobakhidze talked about the necessity of increasing the basic salary of the teacher and highlighted the difficult socio-economic condition of the administration and technical staff in small contingent schools.

The delegates of the conference were welcomed by Nino Metreveli, head of Oni Municipality Educational Resource Center. She spoke about Lela Shezzadashvili's personal, professional and leader qualities. Nino Metreveli noted that for support of teachers, the Oni municipality public schools and trade union are planning joint activities.

The conference was held in the format of dialogue and delegates discussed the needs of schools and teachers. They expressed concern over the demographic problems of the Oni Municipality, the situation in the border and the mountainous region and decrease of the number of pupils. The delegates requested additives defined by mountain law for technical staff employed in schools in high mountainous areas.

The guest of the conference, Ms. Mzia Gobejishvili, principal of Oni kindergarten introduced the situation in the pre-school facility to the audience. She noted the willingness of the regional municipality authorities to help the children and exemplify the case of village Gloli, where a special group was opened for the 9 children. "In the municipality of Oni, as a result of natural disaster many kindergarten buildings were damaged and Oni only serves one kindergarten. In the mountainous villages are not young families and there is no social group. The kindergarten is a vital cell for the village" said Mzia Gobejashvili.

ESFTUG’s president praised the activities of Oni branch organization. She noted that due to the lack of members Lela Sherezadashvili has limited access to more extensive cultural, educational events and training programs. Maia Kobakhidze promised delegates that ESFTUG will provide effective assistance for Oni's organization to implement joint activities from central budget.

The delegates of the ESFTUG’s Oni branch organization positively evaluated the activities of Lela Sherazadashvili and unanimously elected her for the next four years.

The Conference delegates also elected local council and delegates for the ESFTUG’s IX reporting-electoral conference.

Maia Kobakhidze has announced that the principals of those public schools, where 100 percent of employees are our members, will be invited as the guests of ESFTUG’s IX reporting-electoral conference.

At the end of the conference, ESFTUG’s president Maia Kobakhidze awarded the leaders of the primary organizations for their special contribution to trade union activities.

Head of Oni Municipality Educational Resource Center Nino Metreveli was awarded with the certificate - "For protection of democratic values and effective social partnership."