Gela Mtivlishvili, Kakheti
Board in 56 cm from the bench; the steps strengthened by wooden pillars that can fall down any time; broken floor; water leaking from the roof; walls cracking from dampness; cold rooms because of damaged windows; more than 250 students live in such conditions in the public schools of the villages Melaani of Gurjaani region and village Erisimedi of Signagi region.
Because of the emergency situation of Melaani public school, 177 students of school are having lessons in the village ambulatory, kindergarten and local board. Often, children have to switch buildings for attending their lessons. The distance between the buildings is more than a kilometer, and they have to cover it in 5 minutes.
The rooms of kindergarten, ambulatory and local board is so small that the benches are located in 56 cm from the board. Water is leaking is some of the classrooms. The glass windows are broken. The floor is damaged. The stairs are in emergency state. Steps are strengthened by wooden pillars and can be broken any time.
The deputy of territorial organ of village Melaani, Valeri Iromashvili does not comment on this issue.
“We have terrible conditions. We have been without a school for two years now. There is no sport hall in these buildings, no stadium outside. Water is leaking from the roof. The cement pieces are falling,” – states Mariam Akopashvili, the student of Melaani school.
Many children were transferred to another school for last two years since there are no conditions. Because of elimination of student number, the combined classes are operating in the school.
“I have a child in fourth grade and he is having lessons with children of second grade. How can a teacher manage to explain different programs to two classes in 45 minutes?! Children damaged by this situation won’t be able to receive education,” – stated Nona Bezhanishvili.
According to the principal of Melaani public school Lali Rostiashvili, the program of combined classes is useful for children since it brings innovations.
“This program is operating in other schools as well. We are forced to conduct lessons to two classes. When the number of children is less than 21, combined classes are automatically formed. As for the school, the building is in an emergency state and lives of children were endangered. The Ministry of Education, Administration of Region Governor and a village deputy are aware of the situation. There is an ongoing project and soon the works for rehabilitating the school will start,” – stated school principal.
According to Melaani residents, they addressed the local government with the request of rehabilitation of building numerous times. At pre-elections, the representatives of governmental party and candidates participating in the elections promised new building to population in return for votes, but with no results.
Government promised the rehabilitation of school building in the village Erisimedi of Signagi region to the residents of the village Erisimedi as well. Erisimedi school is located in one storey building. The building is half destroyed, it has no door/windows. Floor is broken.
Dato Tavartkiladze, the principal of village Erisimedi public school: “School building is in a very severe situation. The walls are cracked and can fall down any time. That is why students and teachers walk so carefully, but the floor is so damaged that we still fall in the cellar sometimes. New items were offered by Ministry of Education, but where could I bring the furniture when we don’t have a building. The head of Signagi education resource center and the region governor are aware of this situation. They promised me last year that before the start of academic year, they would build new building, but later stated that there is no money in the budget and they will plan to do it for next year. But nothing was done this year. There are no elementary conditions, but children at least need to learn how to read and write. We can’t take the responsibility of children’s security on ourselves. We cease the education process where there’s wind and strong rain and free the building to guard our lives.”
The Ministry of Education and Sciences does not comment on the issue of Melaani and Erisimedi public schools.
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