On february12, Tamar Zaalishvili held a briefing in the main office of the “Democratic Movement”.

The situation is alarming in Georgia according to the International Association of Educational Evaluation, which published the data (2006-2007) on literacy level of 9-10 year old pupils and level of knowledge in mathematics and other technical subjects of 13-14 years old pupils. 

In the published data among 46 countries Georgia is 37th in the literacy level (PIRLS) and has the score below average. Average level of literacy in Georgian is below excepted level of PIRLS and only countries like Morocco, Kuwait, Trinidad and Tobago, Qatar, South Africa etc are behind us. Similar alarming situation is shown in the data of mathematics and other subjects. The level of Georgian pupils is below average here as well. In mathematics 33% of 4th class pupils and 44% 8th class pupils have the knowledge below accepted level. Similar results are in other subjects accordingly 41% and 39%.

The results of the abovementioned studies are clear evidence of the catastrophic situation in the educational sphere and generally in the country. It is the result of the inadequate, ineffective and only on PR oriented policy of the government.

The situation is even more alarming due to the fact that authorities are continuing the policy of pressure on society and aggression. Even today in order to improve situation the authorities without preliminary discussion are offering new changes to the society with great educational and scientific traditions as a solution with no alternative.

During the meeting with representatives of educational sphere in Batumi the president factually admitted the heavy results of recent policy and extremely difficult situation in educational sphere.

It is interesting why has not used president Saakashvili his authority to maintain proper policy in this sphere? Who is responsible for all illiteracy, as mentioned by President, done in this sphere based on the legislative acts signed by him or by officials appointed by him?  Who is responsible for radical decline of the quality of the education, obvious not only for president bur for ordinary citizen as well? Why there were no discussion on the absence of the pupils in last classes and on the quality and affordability of the books? Who and how will be compensated the damage caused to the educational system during the presidency of Saakashvili and is it possible?

Taking into consideration the brainwashing and pressure exercised by government controlled media, the results are not accidental. It is the result of goal oriented policy of the government, because it is much easier to mislead the uneducated and uninformed population.

Our party, the “Democratic Movement” believes that not a single problem can be solved without system changes in all spheres of public life.  The elaboration and especially the implementation of any strategy can not be done without preliminary assessment and evaluation of situation (political, economical, social, legal, institutional financial etc) which is impossible under current regime.

According to Mrs. Tamar Zaalishvili ''democratic Movement'' will publish “Concept of Strategic Development of Education and Science” in few weeks.