Many parents in Georgia are not aware of their basic rights enshrined in the Law on General Education, which provides for them to effectively engage in the decision-making processes at schools. Many school administrations also often do not recognize the importance of engaging parents in the education process.
With support from the USAID Civil Society Engagement Program, the CSO Parents for Education is working with parents and schools to build and empower a network of parents throughout the country and facilitate their engagement in decision-making processes.
Within the project, 28 parents and 14 respective schools from Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida Kartli, Kevmo Kartli and Samtskhe-Javakheti have volunteered to participate in the project. In May, introductory meetings at the target schools generated high interest, with a total of 800 people in attendance. Of those attendees, 200 registered for trainings on effective communication between parents and school administrations and the importance of parent engagement in the education process. Apart from its theoretical components, the trainings will use case studies to demonstrate the importance of cooperation between schools and parents and offer various practical tools for fostering this type of engagement.
The training courses are already underway. Following their completion, Parents for Education will support the selected parents and schools in putting their new knowledge into practice by a) helping schools to develop a systemic approach and create effective mechanisms for parental engagement, b) helping parents carry out diverse activities, and c) ensuring an adequate response to everyday challenges at schools.
