UNICEF & National Center for Teacher Professional Development signs memorandum of cooperation

To support the professional development of teachers in the direction of preschool and general education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers in Georgia signed a memorandum of cooperation.

Within the framework of cooperation, UNICEF and the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers will promote the training of school teachers, educators of preschool education institutions- Professional development of teachers and academic staff of universities to lead in the direction of inclusive education, both face-to-face and online, by implementing various activities and initiatives.

In cooperation with the Foundation, the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers, together with eight partner universities, will develop training modules for teachers and special educators, which will be recognized as part of the professional development and career progression scheme.

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As it was said at today’s meeting, the Foundation, in cooperation with the Center, will support the further strengthening of universities by coaching academic staff in the direction of early inclusive education.

The head of UNICEF in Georgia, Ghasan Khalili, and the head of the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers, Berika Shukakidze, agreed on joint events and activities within the framework of cooperation.

Ghassan Khalil: “First of all, I would like to emphasize the importance of cooperation between the United Nations Children’s Fund and the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers because it is a prerequisite for quality education. UNICEF has been working for years to improve the quality of education both in Georgia and globally, which is the most important right of every child. Raising the qualifications of teachers and improving their skills is directly related to improving the learning environment for children, which in turn means more respect for schoolchildren.”

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According to Berika Shukakidze, head of the National Center for Professional Development of Teachers, the relationship between UNICEF and the Teacher’s House is an example of successful cooperation between a state agency and an international organization.

Berika Shukakidze: “We have a very close, multifaceted relationship. Many important issues will be discussed in an informal setting outside of official meetings. As for the subject of the mentioned memorandum, it concerns specific directions, including primary education, in which we actively cooperate, as well as children’s rights centres in universities, whose analogue we will make in the Center in the near future. In addition, there are many issues in terms of general education, in which UNICEF has a lot of experience, and we will be given the opportunity to share it in this cooperation format.”