Tbilisi, Georgia, September 2-3, 2024 – Approximately 70 experts from the Inclusive and Special Education Support Center, part of the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (Mandaturi Office), received training aimed at improving their support for children with special educational needs. The training, backed by UNICEF, is part of an initiative to enhance the Inclusive Education Support System and its psycho-educational services for children. Topics covered included psycho-educational assessment, counseling, and service quality.
UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Jesper Moller, emphasized the organization’s ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth, and the Mandaturi Office. “UNICEF remains dedicated to improving learning and inclusive education for every child,” Moller stated. “Inequalities in learning and development can start early, often before primary school. The best way to ensure inclusive education is to begin in the early years, laying a foundation for lifelong learning. Children thrive when their holistic needs are met by caring adults who understand child development and provide quality services.”
Sofio Abulashvili, Chief of the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions, attended the training and expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its support. “The Mandaturi Office is dedicated to the ongoing development of our services. High-quality service demands not only dedication but also continual updating of knowledge and skills,” Abulashvili noted. “It is crucial that our services meet high standards and are tailored to the needs of those we serve. This training will be invaluable for our employees’ professional growth, networking, and motivation.”
UNICEF plans to continue supporting the Mandaturi Office throughout the year by:
Developing tools, protocols, and resources necessary for providing quality, customized services for each child.
Training specialists and management on effective coordination and child-friendly approaches to child assessment and educational support.
In addition, new amendments to the Law on General Education, effective June 1, 2024, aim to strengthen inclusive education services in Georgia. The Inclusive Education Support reform, part of a partnership between the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth, UNICEF, and the Government of Norway, has supported children with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as educators and parents, in fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in both preschool and general education settings across Georgia.