"Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia, which today unites more than 41 thousand members, fights for raising the prestige of teachers and appreciation of teachers," - said Lali Chitaia, the head of the ESFTUG's Khobi Branch Organization at the reporting-election conference held on June 18.

The conference was attended by 28 Delegates, ESFTUG’s President Maia Kobakhidze and invited guests - Head of Khobi Educational Resource Center Beatrisa Rusia, representative of Khobi City Hall Koba Tutberidze and principals of Khobi municipality public schools.

Despite many artificial barriers, the head of the Khobi branch organization Lali Chitaia was able to return employees of Khobi municipality educational institutions to the ESFTUG’s big family with great enthusiasm and willingness.

Lali Chitaia reviewed the previous reporting period and noted that, while in most of the regions of Georgia, employers in educational institutions expressed great confidence in the ESFTUG, the process of attracting and maintaining members in Khobi was delayed.

"Despite the work done by me, the desired result has come only after the ESFTUG’s president Maia Kobakhidze met the teachers of Khobi municipality ... This meeting was really important and fruitful, as in the last three months primary organizations were created in 9 schools, "- said the speaker.

Leader of Khobi branch organization recollected the hardest period for the ESFTUG: "It was very difficult to restore the disorganized organization, while the state used all the resources available to fight against the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia. At that time, Ms. Maia Kobakhidze became the president of the organization.

I would like to express my gratitude to this great and tireless work that has created the foundation and strengthening of our organization's authority. If not Ms. Maya's support and professionalism, warmth and love, we would not be able to restore the dissolved organization,” - she added.

Lali Chitaia spoke about the results of the ESFTUG’s initiatives as a follow-up in the general education system, as well as the introduction of the Law on "Preschool Education."

"Pre-school education is important for the development of the child ... solid, healthy and straight-forward education is the basis for the future generation to grow healthy, delightful and motivated," - said leader of ESFTUG's Khobi branch organization.

The speaker emphasized the importance of the norm added by the ESFTUG’s initiative in the Law on "Preschool Education", according to which municipalities are obliged to prove compulsory conditions of employment contracts with persons employed in pre-school institutions by possible consultations with trade union.

This provision recognizes the role and importance of the trade union and the labor agreement elaborated by the employee's interests in the kindergartens creates guarantees for their labor and legal rights.

Lali Chitaia focused on low salaries of kindergartens’ employees, excessive hourly loading of caregivers and topical issues faced by employers in general educational institutions.

Head of the ESFTUG’s Khobi branch organization expressed particular appreciation for the legal department of the ESFTUG’s Central Office for timely and qualified legal consultations for members.

"We often refer to Mr. Ucha and the advice and instructions received from him always ends up in favor of a teacher," - said the speaker.

Lali Chitaia reviewed the activities carried out during the 4 years of the ESFTUG's Khobi branch organization. During the reporting period, for teachers of Khobi municipality different kind of professional trainings were conducted.

Lali Chitaia carried out events to celebrate Mother's Day, she handed over the memorable gifts and rewards to winners of following competitions: "Who knows the history of our country", "The smartest", "Competition in handwriting", also to the teachers of successful students and others. She payed attention to the needs of the members as well as providing assistance and material support to them, as well as Khobi teachers were presented at the joint, large-scale subjective conferences of the Ministry of Education and Science and ESFTUG.

Regardless of the activities carried out by the ESFTUG's Khobi branch organization, the leader said with concern that teachers are still low in civic consciousness and teachers do not have the knowledge of trade union’s importance in their activities.

Lali Chitaia called upon members of the Council of Khobi branch organization and delegates of the conference to be more active. "Our goal is to provide information on the activities and results of the trade union. Only this will be possible to strengthen the regional organization that will generate financial sustainability and will allow us to plan more workshops, training and events that are customized to the needs of the members" - she said.

Lali Chitaia thanked the members and representatives of public schools for contribution to the restoration and development of the Khobi branch organization. "We together were able to show teachers the yellow trade union’s violations, its false promises. Your support, every step towards helping the organization was equal to heroism," - the head of the Khobi branch organization addressed the audience.

The speaker noted that in her report there is an incomplete list of activities that are implemented with scarce finances:

"Of course, this is not the service that the members of Khobi branch organization are expecting from us because the regional organization is in the process of strengthening and in the future we will be able to achieve a wide range of cultural, educational and cognitive events.

"The more we will be, the greater the strength will be, the stronger our organization will be, the better will be protected the social, economic and legal rights of the teachers, and finally, dear delegates, I would like to mention once again how great a privilege it is for me as for a leader participation of our honorable guests in our regional conference.

Mrs. Maya, I promise you Khobi regional organization will be next to you in the great and responsible work that is so brilliantly managed by you "- Lali Chitaia finished her report.

The participants of the conference listened with a special interest to the 4-year report submitted by the ESFTUG’s president Maia Kobakhidze. The delegates expressed their satisfaction in order to provide the opportunity to discuss the problems and ongoing processes in the field of education with the president. The ESFTUG’s president expressed particular gratitude to Ms. Beatrisa Rusia's support, which is reflected in the protection of current legislation, in support of the teachers in their choice to become union members.

At the end of the conference, the conference delegates expressed their trust to Lali Chitaia and elected her as a head of the Khobi branch organization for 4 years. Delegates of the conference named and elected by open ballot the delegates of the ESFTUG’s IX congress.

At the end of the event, ESFTUG's social partners and active members were awarded with diplomas.