UNICEF and Estonia join forces to enhance early childhood bilingual education in Georgia

The aim of the project is to improve the quality and accessibility of bilingual education for young children in Georgia, focusing on the Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions. The two main objectives for the project are to develop comprehensive recommendations and action plans for a holistic approach to the policy and implementation of bilingual education and enhancing the professional development system for educators and stakeholders. Key activities will include a thorough analysis of the current legal and educational framework, capacity-building initiatives, and professional development programmes.

"UNICEF is committed to improving access to quality education for every child. This partnership initiative is a significant step towards achieving that goal, by building a robust bilingual education system that supports the needs of all children, especially ethnic minority children in Georgia," said Amy Clancy, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Georgia.

„We are glad that the well-established and successful trilateral education cooperation between Estonia, Georgia and UNICEF will continue. Education for ethnic minority children is an important and relevant topic in both countries, both Georgia and Estonia have a lot to learn from eachother’s successful and less succesful experiences in that field,“ said Peeter Pals, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Estonia in Georgia.

The initiative will produce a detailed analysis of the existing curriculum, teaching materials, and professional development systems. The project will partner with 10 pilot kindergartens, as well as vocational education and training institutions and universities, together with central and local governments.

In addition, knowledge exchange webinars, seminars and trainings will be organized for university lecturers, caregiver-teachers, local government representatives, and other stakeholders, to share best practices and innovative approaches in bilingual education.

Quality bilingual education, especially in preschools, is crucial for fostering cognitive development, cultural awareness, and social integration for young children. Bilingual education serves as a bridge for ethnic minority children between their native language and the state language, promoting better communication and reducing educational disparities. It also fosters an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates cultural diversity, helping children develop a sense of identity and belonging. Ultimately, quality bilingual education lays a strong foundation for lifelong learning and participation in a multicultural society.

More than 50 kindergartens in Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli provide early and preschool education in Armenian or Azerbaijani languages. Since 2021, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia has been implementing a bilingual education programme, which at the moment covers 34 kindergartens.