UNICEF INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EXPERT/CONSULTANT
- Background
In Georgia, the preschool education is predominantly provided by “kindergartens” - full day care centers. In 2005 the Government of Georgia introduced the reform of preschool education which placed the financial burden of public preschools on municipal governments. While some municipalities did manage to build the new kindergartens, many preschools fell into disrepair and were shut down for lack of financial resources e.g.two years after the preschool education (decentralization) reform i.e. from 2005/06 to 2007/08, the number of public preschool institutions decreased by 64this reduced the number of kindergartens from 1,325 to 1,261.
Beginning 2008 the situation started to improve in terms of both enrollment and the number of operating kindergartens (KGs). An increase was observed in the number of public KGs (including nurseries) as well as higher enrollment and improved utilization of existing facilities as measured by the child-to-KG ratio. During the academic year 2011/2012 there were in total 1,239 public KGs in 64 Georgian municipalities out of 65 (excluding the Gardabani municipality) and in total98,007 children aged 2-5 years.According to Municipality Survey Data that was commissioned by UNICEF in August 2012, Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) in the preschool education (public predominantly and private) at the end of the 2011/12 academic year stood at 52%, while Net Enrollment Rate stood at 46% (42% public; 4% private).
Since 2005, the role of Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) has been limited to developing and approving curricula and other programs for preschool care institutions, and supporting their implementation. MoESissued several methodological documents in 2009-11that are of a recommendatory nature for the public kindergartens. These are: “Guide to the management of a preschool education organization” , “Preschool child evaluation form” , “Preschool education program” , and “Preschool educator’s manual” . Ministry of Labour Health and Social Affairs (MoLSHA) has multiple responsibilities related to children of preschool age and if preschools are in question, MoLSHA’s responsibilities relate to providing nutrition, infrastructure and hygienic standards. According to MoES, in academic year 2011-12, about 20,000 5-year old children (that is roughly 43% of this age cohort) enrolled in primary schools. This policy lightened the financial burden of providing preschool education on the municipalities (schools are financed by the national government). It also provided the families residing in areas with limited early learning with the possibility to enroll their children into primary education. Current policy should advise about options for schools to either provide special programs for or reject 5-year old children who are physically and/or psychologically not ready for primary education
Beginning 2008 the situation started to improve in terms of both enrollment and the number of operating kindergartens (KGs). An increase was observed in the number of public KGs (including nurseries) as well as higher enrollment and improved utilization of existing facilities as measured by the child-to-KG ratio. During the academic year 2011/2012 there were in total 1,239 public KGs in 64 Georgian municipalities out of 65 (excluding the Gardabani municipality) and in total98,007 children aged 2-5 years.According to Municipality Survey Data that was commissioned by UNICEF in August 2012, Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) in the preschool education (public predominantly and private) at the end of the 2011/12 academic year stood at 52%, while Net Enrollment Rate stood at 46% (42% public; 4% private).
Since 2005, the role of Ministry of Education and Science (MoES) has been limited to developing and approving curricula and other programs for preschool care institutions, and supporting their implementation. MoESissued several methodological documents in 2009-11that are of a recommendatory nature for the public kindergartens. These are: “Guide to the management of a preschool education organization” , “Preschool child evaluation form” , “Preschool education program” , and “Preschool educator’s manual” . Ministry of Labour Health and Social Affairs (MoLSHA) has multiple responsibilities related to children of preschool age and if preschools are in question, MoLSHA’s responsibilities relate to providing nutrition, infrastructure and hygienic standards. According to MoES, in academic year 2011-12, about 20,000 5-year old children (that is roughly 43% of this age cohort) enrolled in primary schools. This policy lightened the financial burden of providing preschool education on the municipalities (schools are financed by the national government). It also provided the families residing in areas with limited early learning with the possibility to enroll their children into primary education. Current policy should advise about options for schools to either provide special programs for or reject 5-year old children who are physically and/or psychologically not ready for primary education
The full text of the TOR and P11 form are attached.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae, Completed UN Personal History Form (P11) and Draft Work Plan to UNICEF by e-mail at hrtbilisi@unicef.org with ref. subject: International Legal Expert/Consultant
Application deadline: 10th June 2013.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
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