Georgia ratified the UN Convention on the right of persons with disabilities in 2014; However PwDs still experience unequal approach and their rights are frequently violated. Low professional competence of school teachers towards working with pupils with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN ) is one of the main factors influencing quality of inclusive education in Georgian schools. Till now no university in the country has an academic program in special education - at the same time there are about 1500 special teachers working in schools- without proper knowledge and academic diploma/certificate. The training program in inclusive education carried out by the National Centre for Teacher Professional Development is an only way for teachers to enhance professional competence in this regard. With existed curriculum GEO HEIs cannot deal with two main challenges the country has towards inclusive education - (1) Special teachers' proper education - providing them with academic knowledge and diploma/certificate and (2) subject teachers’ low competence towards working with pupils wit SEN - ensuing them with proper education at the university and provide with related continuing education programs. The project is focused on development new academic modules in special education that will be integrated in teacher education program at four GEO HEIS - graduates from the program, future subject/general school teachers will have a proper knowledge to work with pupils with SEN. In addition the certificate program in special education creates opportunities to prepare special teachers with academic knowledge and diploma; short term training programs gives opportunities to school/ field practitioners to refresh professional capacity in inclusive education. And finally strong network of professionals (academicians, school practitioners, NGO/DPO and state agencies) arranged with the frame of the project will create good background for better police and practice.
The project is focused on developing new academic modules in special education for teacher training programs of the CISI consortium member Georgian universities. Also, an opportunity to receive academic knowledge in special education and the certificate of special teacher acknowledged by the state has been ensured by developing a special teacher certificate program at CISI consortium partner two Georgian HEIs. The project addresses the collaboration and networking of the main stakeholders.
The project targets challenges related to the quality of inclusive education in Georgia. According to the data of the Education Management Information System of Georgia, there are about 10,000 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) studying in mainstream schools. However, there are no academic programs at Georgian HEIs educating special teachers; only very few subjects related to special and inclusive education are included in the curriculum of teacher training programs.
<< Background >> The project targets challenges related to the quality of inclusive education in Georgia. According to the data of the Education Management Information System of Georgia, there are about 10,000 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) studying in mainstream schools. However, there are no academic programs at Georgian HEIs educating special teachers; only very few subjects related to special and inclusive education are included in the curriculum of teacher training programs. << Objectives >> The project is focused on developing new academic modules in special education for teacher training programs of the CISI consortium member Georgian universities. Also, an opportunity to receive academic knowledge in special education and the certificate of special teacher acknowledged by the state has been ensured by developing a special teacher certificate program at CISI consortium partner two Georgian HEIs. The project addresses the collaboration and networking of the main stakeholders. << Implementation >> The project has been implemented by a consortium of 12 partners: four Georgian universities, four European universities, three Georgian NGOs, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. Important changes in the higher education law of Georgia have been made. New Courses and a Special Teacher Certificate Program have been developed. The new courses have been piloted. People with disabilities actively participated in the project implementation. << Results >> Within the frame of the CISI project:- Ten new courses and related textbooks have been developed; the new courses have been included in the teacher training programs of CISI partner Georgian HEIs and have been piloted.- The Special Teacher Certificate program has been developed at CISI partner two Georgian universities - TSU and BSU.- A social network of supporters has been arranged with the involvement of CISI partners, the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, schools, and NGOs.