“Strong Trade Union - for Sustainable Development of Education System ", "Promoting Preschool Institutions for Improvement of Continuous Education", "Appreciate school administration and technical personnel to ensure a healthy learning environment", "Development of higher education and science - for the success of the country" - these calls were made by the IX reporting-election congress of the ESFTUG, which was attended by 217 selected delegates and invited guests. The congress was chaired by ESFTUG’s Vice-President, Alexander Beridze, head of the ESFTUG’s Adjara branch organization. The delegates of the congress approved the presidium : ESFTUG’s President Maia Kobakhidze, Head of the ESFTUG’s Adjara branch organization Alexander Beridze, Executive Vice-President Mari Alugishvili, Vice-President Natia Kordzadze, Advisor of ESFTUG’s president in education issues Giorgi Nozadze, head of the Georgian Trade Union Confederation Irakli Petriashvili.

ESFTUG’s President Maia Kobakhidze summarized the main directions of the Action Plan approved at the VII Congress of 2014, summarized the 4-year work of the organization on the basis of the major shortcomings and challenges of the ESFTUG’s future priorities.

In parallel of the ESFTG’s results in the improvement of teachers' labor, social-economic and legal conditions, Maia Kobakhidze spoke about the problems of the employees and the ways of their rectification. In assessing the organization's activities, Maia Kobakhidze was critical and self-critical towards the style and methods of self-governing structures of the general education institutions, towards the employees’ personal freedom, solidarity. Maia Kobakhidze has named several acute examples in order to describe the problems existing in the educational institutions in compliance with the requirements of the current legislation. "The problem is that there are different types of pressure on teachers, mainly from school management. Despite the fact that according to our involvement the Minister of Education’s rule of teacher’s disciplinary proceedings was worked out, and teachers' rights are perfectly protected by this normative act, unfortunately, disciplinary committees, as well as board and pedagogical councils, often refer to directors' requirements as unconditional executives. The work of schools’ self-government structures should be guarantee of the establishment of justice and lawfulness in schools. The Georgian Law on General Education ensures the autonomy of the self-government strictures, which gives teachers the ability to protect their and colleagues' rights, but the situation remains problematic. This is a classic example and a confirmation of the difficult situation of teachers' personal freedom, solidarity, independent actions and combat capabilities "- said Maia Kobakhidze. She emphasized the importance of activating primary trade union organizations and increasing their authority: "On the previous congresses, we set out improvement of the existing situation through the strengthening and activation of the primary trade union organizations, since this direction is a strategic axis of development of the organization. The strength of the trade union is determined by the members' activity and we can say that we have no serious progress at this stage in the abovementioned directions. If we can not achieve the fundamental changing the primary organization, then we can not fulfill the set goals. The construction of the house starts from the foundation, and we are trying to strengthen the organization from the top without a solid foundation. Such work had some kind of justification in the years leading up to the promotion of trade union activities and the restoration of the organization. The time has come to get back to the basic principle of trade union: - "A strong trade union is created by personally free workers".The ESFTUG’s President presented statistics of “US Solidarity Programs" and about the “Trade Union Training Seminars /on the rise of Human Rights Culture" with financial support of the EU Delegation to Georgia. "The assistance from international representatives will continue, but if we do not make mental changes in ourselves and do not take steps towards personal freedom, solidarity and activism then the situation will not change. In the 2280 educational institutions we have primary trade union organizations and none of the cases of the protection of the interests of the colleague and the expression of solidarity, or about abuses and responses to violations from the primary organization have been identified. The problem is in us. Each of us should take care to correct this. Since the issue of attracting / attaching members depends much on the authority of primary organization. The problem is in us. Each of us should take care to correct this”- Maia Kobakhidze called the congress.

The ESFTUG’s president emphasized the strategy chosen by the ESFTUG with the government in the direction of constructive dialogue on the problems of the teachers and presented the meeting with the Ministry of Education, the changes implemented in the legislative / subordinate normative acts by the initiative of the ESFTUG, which significantly improved the teacher Labor / Legal Conditions. The ESFTUG’s President examined the successful results of the Legal Department, according to which, during the reporting period, the head of the legal department Ucha Bakuradze protected the rights of 14 dismissed employees in the courts and all the process were completed by the restoration of the dismissed. Institutions employers were charged with obligatory remuneration, which amounted to 27 050 GEL. The ESFTUG’s President according to the increase of the authority and the prestige of the teacher’s profession has noted that the work carried out by NGO Coalition "Education for All Georgia" and “National Center for Teacher Professional Development” in order to propagate the teachers' activities is welcomed. Also, establishment of the teacher's national award and the initiative of individual municipalities in the direction of teachers' day celebration and encouraging teachers should be appreciated. "Increasing the prestige of the teacher's profession should not be limited to one activity. There should be a specific action plan in the country. We express our readiness to actively cooperate with the state agencies / civil sector for teacher‘s appreciation" – said Maia Kobakhidze. On behalf of the IX Congress, Maia Kobakhidze thanked the two winners of the 2015 TV program "Imedi Heros": teacher of Georgian language and literature in Akhalkalaki village Bavra, Julie Veleli-Shirianin and teacher of Georgian language and literature Nazi Sabanidze, director of public school in Mestia municipality village Lakhamuli. The ESFTUG’s President in the name of the ESFTUG’s highest collegiate body - IX Congress, for the promotion of the teacher’s profession and contributions to their work, awarded the teachers who were among the top ten teachers of the national award in 2017 and 2018 with appreciation certificates.

"We have often heard criticisms of our organization that we care only for teachers, their well-being and forget about the main objective of care - a pupil. We categorically disagree with this assessment of our work, increasing the quality of teaching and learning process is the main priority of our work. In May 2015, we established "Professional Development Center for Employees in Educational Institutions". In four years, based on the requirements of trade union members, the Center created 34 training modules, the training module for professional skills training was prepared for non-Georgian speaking teachers in Russian, and in the Azeri language - a preliminary consultative training module for primary mathematics examination. For Azeri language teachers in Bolnisi and Marneuli have been conducted trainings during two years. 8 training modules are prepared in the center for the employees of the pre-school institutions. In cooperation with ESFTUG’s Regional / Municipal Organizations, the Center conducted 713 trainings in 61 municipalities in ten regions of Georgia in which 21,300 union members took part. In 2017, the Center implemented a grant project - "Teacher Professional Development Study - To Improve Teaching-Learning Quality". Within the framework of the project, teachers with the status of Practitioner from Kakheti, Shida Kartli and Mtskheta-Mtianeti 16 municipalities’ 88 small contingent schools were retrained. 846 participants were granted 1,5 credits for the full and successful implementation of the project activities. "Dear colleagues, as we promised, our organization has completed transition from the Soviet trade union to the modern trade union. The Soviet model of trade union became the history. As well as in the previous period, in the previous four years, the support of international organizations and representatives of Georgian trade unions was lasting.

On the difficult way of construction of modern Western values trade union, we still hope for support. I want to thank the members of the executive board of our organization, leaders of the branch organizations, for their everyday care for members and their activities. We are one team and one of our main achievements was our unanimity. Thank the delegates of the congress and each member for loyalty and trust. Finally, I tried to share the deficiencies existed in the organization and to present my vision how to correct them. It is not in the interests of the candidate, and it is probably worth so many critical remarks and assessments. It's up to you. If we do not objectively evaluate the problems and do not define the ways of solving it, then we will close the door to the development. Our goal is to build a strong trade union for sustainable development of the education system and together raise the role of trade union in the process of building a democratic state." Maia Kobakhidze welcomed the scholars in the hall - the doctor of philological science, researcher, Rostom Chkheidze and Lia Karichashvili. She emphasized the role of Social Partners - Educational Resource Centers, Local Self-government Heads and principals of public schools in cooperation with ESFTUG. She expressed gratitude towards the staff of the central office and recalled with regret the leaders of the ESFTUG were deducted from the ESFTUG in the last 4 years: Karlo Melia, head of Zugdidi branch organization, Neli Janelidze, head of Gurjaani branch organization, Avtandil Mchedlidze, head of Zestaponi branch organization and head of Kobuleti branch organization Jemal Tsetskhladze. Irakli Petriashvili, head of Georgian Trade Union Confederation addressed the delegates and guests of the congress. "To be a member of the union is a decent title because the members of trade unions are unlike other citizens, they except not only their own problems, but other people's problems as well" - said the speaker. He emphasized the numerous representations of the international delegations, the organization's hard way, and the success achieved in the last years. "... A lot of people remember how hard days have this organization passed to come to the present day. How much effort did you need not to find this organization in others pocket? "This is the most" live "congress. This organization did not have such perspective about 10 years ago. This is the merit of thousands of people in the hall and thousands of teachers who trusted the ESFTUG and you adequately reflect their problems. Today I can freely say that I welcome all the decisions you made, because you are doing a free choice. ... It is important for the country’s advance to invest in the education system as much as possible. Teachers' Society prevails with women, but the above mentioned number is not result of a good life. Teachers' profession is considered as a low-income profession, so men have less interest in this profession," - said Irakli Petriashvili. Irakli Petriashvili emphasized the essence of professional education. He called upon the experience and possibilities of the ESFTUG to organize the organization's efforts in the professional education segment. Irakli Petriashvili noted that ESFTUG is the only organization in the trade union movement that has signed a "sectoral agreement" with social partner – Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. "In all reforms, amendments and innovations the trade union involvement is crucial, the state is nothing more than the unity of the employers, employees and the government. This synchronization creates the European values for which we all strive together "- said the head of the Trade Unions Confederation. The head of the Trade Unions Confederation touched upon the issue of labor safety, which is the problem of teachers' families, their students and parents, and called on teachers for support. He greeted foreign guests in his speech. "I know intensive, collegial and equal co-operation and support, between your organization and the trade unions of foreign countries. Unfortunately, many organizations of our country and often state agencies do not cooperate in equal terms and colleagues with many other countries. Often we are in a very dependent situation, and you are equally honest with your contributions and organizations that are based on the principles of solidarity in the country and outside the country." ESFTUG’s President Maia Kobakhidze for the adoption of the Resolution of the IX Congress announced debates and requested from delegates to discuss the needs and urgent issues of teachers. According to the agenda, Darejan Tabatadze, head of the Regulatory Control-Revision Commission has presented report before the congress. The delegates of the ESFTUG’s congress unanimously expressed their full confidence to Maya Kobakhidze for a further four-year term. The staff of the Central Office of the ESFTUG congratulated Maia Kobakhidze on the victory in the elections and thanked her for her work. According to the approved agenda, the delegates of the congress listened and positively evaluated the report of the Regulatory Control-Revision Commission, presented by the head of the Control-Revision Commission Dali Tabatadze. The IX Reporting-Election Commission elected the Controlling-Revision Commission, Mandate and Electoral Procedural Permanent Commissions of the congress, also, they established and adopted the resolution of the congress, approved the powers of the ESFTUG’s Executive Board members and the resolution of the congress.

Mrs. Mikheil Batiashvili, the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Deputy Minister Irina Abuladze, Member of Parliament of Georgia, Head of the Faction "Georgian Dream - Social Democrats" Gia Zhorzholiani, the director of the Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency Kakhaber Gvantseladze and his deputy Irakli Turmanidze, Head of Regional Coordination Service of Teacher Professional Development Center Khatuna Barbakadze, head of Georgian Trade Unions Confederation Irakli Petriashvili, Director of the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) Susan Floken, President of European Trade Unions Committee for Education (ETUCE) Christine Blower and International Delegation - representatives of 12 partner countries of the European Union, ESFTUG’s IX Congress’ Special guest Martin Rohmer. Heads of Educational, Science, Culture and Sports Regional Educational Resource Centers - Khatuna Macharashvili (Vake-Saburtalo), Marine Vepkhvadze (Kharagauli), Merab Migineishvili (Abasha), Pasha Gulordava (Martvili), Darejan Zarandia (Senaki), Lia Jalaghonia (Chkhorotsku), Beatrisa Rusia (Khobi), Izolda Lomidze (Borjomi), Iamze Svanidze (Bolnisi), Mujirishvili Noni (Dmanisi), David Osepaishvili (Dusheti), Manana Chikvaidze (Lagodekhi), Manana Tsutskiridze (Sagarejo), Eter Davitashvili (Dedoplistskaro), Manana Nadibaidze (Akhmeta); Principals of 25 Public and private schools: Revaz Javakhishvili (#41 public school), Archil Chkhaidze (#103), Giorgi Momtsemlidze (#98), Giorgi Kakabadze (#24), Shota Jinjikhadze (Tkibuli public school #6), Gocha Shubitidze (Chiatura public school #1), Sopio Danachevi (Baghdati, village Khani public school), Nodar Osadze (Zestaponi, village Shorapani public school), Elizbar Barbakadze (private school “Future Business School”), Lela Kirkitadze (Tbilisi public school #4), Gela Macharashvili (Sachkhere, village Korbouli public school #2), Nukri Berishvili (Zugdidi, village Grigolishi public school), Maia Gatserelia (Martvili, village Lekhaindrao public school), Nino Jebashvili (Ambrolauri, village Khotevi public school), Eter Chikviladze (Oni, village Sheubi public school), Moris Dandurishvili (Kashuri municipality #1 public school), Masim Aivazovi (Marneuli, village Kirach-Mughanlo public school), Irma Tsakadze (Bolnisi municipality #1 public school), Maia Isiani (Bolnisi, village Javshaniani public school), Rusudan Bejhuashvili (Dmanisi municipality #3 public school), Zaza Elisashvili (Dusheti, village Pirmisaantkari public school), Tea Metreveli (Lagodekhi municipality #3 public school), David Seturi (Dedoplistskaro, village Zemo Keda public school), Nanuli Krikheli (Akhmeta municipality #1 public school), directors of kindergartens attended the ESFTUG’s reporting-election IX congress. Among the guests were: teacher and author of TV company Obiektivi program "Towards Education Reforms" Manana Nikolaishvili, ESFTUG’s partner NGOs: "Women for Justice" - Natia Kevkhishvili, “Association of History Teachers” - Manana Shekiladze and Ekaterine Maisuradze, “Private Universities Association”, “NGOs Coalition”, from "Education for All – Georgia’s" member organizations: Association "School, Family and Society" -Irina Kikvadze, “Mathematic Teachers Association” - Dodo Tkhelidze, “Lions Quest Georgia” - Tamar Gegenava; Trainers of ESFTUG’s “Professional development center ”; Sectoral organizations of Georgian trade unions confederation: Head of Abkhazia Trade Unions Shalva Tsuleiskiri, Head of the Trade Union of Aviation Workers Dizi Tabatadze, Head of the Energy Workers Trade Union Amiran Zenaishvili, Head of Metropolitan Workers' Trade Union Besik Kharatishvili, Head of the New Trade Union of Railways’ workers Vitaly Giorgadze.