Georgia Primary Education Project Monthly Report June 1-30, 2015

The project's overall goal is to enhance community and public engagement, accountability, and transparency in these schools. The project is implemented by Chemonics International Inc. in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In June 2015, the project made significant progress in various areas. A total of 465 principals of expansion schools signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the project. Additionally, 25 reading teachers and 20 math teachers in four and three schools, respectively, were observed by national trainers. The project also facilitated 1,281 Teacher Learning Circle (TLC) meetings during January-June 2015, with 162 TLC facilitators conducting these meetings. The project's Business Skills program was presented during the US Embassy's "America Days" fairs in Zugdidi, Akhaltsikhe, Gori, and Tbilisi. Five animated videos on classroom management techniques for volunteers in the business skills component were produced, and six MOUs were signed with private sector companies that have committed 14 employees to participate in the business skills program. A reading competition with parents' participation was completed in schools, and the project finalized photos and banners for the public awareness campaign in parental engagement. The project also made progress in developing instructional resources, including the production of five animated videos on classroom management techniques for the business skills program volunteers. A preliminary schedule for the 2015 Fall training cycle was made, and a studio space was set up in the project's office to film episodes for the E-Training Zone of the portal. The project also conducted a business skills orientation meeting for 34 national trainers. In terms of goals, the project aims to improve reading and math instruction for approximately 40,000 Georgian students, grades 1-6, including ethnic minority students in approximately 300 schools. The project also aims to improve reading and math delivery systems in Georgia's primary education and enhance community and public engagement, accountability, and transparency in approximately 300 schools. The project's Component 1 focuses on improving reading and math instruction for approximately 40,000 students of grades 1-6, including ethnic minority students, in approximately 300 schools. Subcomponent 1.1 aims to improve Teacher Effectiveness in Teaching Reading and Math, as well as in the Use of Formative Assessment-Based Teaching Approach. The project has made significant progress in this area, including developing a concept for improving teachers' instruction of reading and math through training and school-based professional development. The project has also conducted school visits to observe math and Georgian language teachers delivering their lessons and TLC facilitators conducting meetings. The purpose of these visits was to provide constructive feedback on their practices. The project's national trainers conducted nine school visits in June 2015, observing 25 Georgian language and 20 math teachers during this period. Overall, the Georgia Primary Education Project has made significant progress in improving reading and math instruction for approximately 40,000 Georgian students, grades 1-6, including ethnic minority students in approximately 300 schools. The project's efforts to enhance community and public engagement, accountability, and transparency in these schools are also noteworthy.