As you know, on May 24th, 2025, the Educators and Scientists Free Trade Union of Georgia (ESFTUG) held its 12th Mid-Term Congress, where seven issues were included on the agenda.
At the Congress, I presented an analysis of ESFTUG’s work over the past two years across various areas. It is noteworthy that, in accordance with the requirements of the ESFTUG Constitution, 61 regional and city chairpersons presented their two-year activity reports to members during mid-term conferences held prior to the Congress.
As is tradition, the main emphasis in the report presented at the 12th Mid-Term Congress was placed on the efforts made to protect the labor, socio-economic, legal, and professional interests of teachers. To this end, ESFTUG’s initiatives were supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth, resulting in the following changes over the past two years:
- As of the amendment of March 13th, 2023, teachers in general education schools holding a PhD or an equivalent academic degree were exempted from the obligation to take the theoretical exam during the career advancement process.
- In 2023, the deadline for submitting an electronic portfolio documenting a teacher’s practical activities, as part of their career advancement process, was extended for those who had passed the professional skills exam in 2022.
- In May 2024, an additional deadline for submitting the electronic portfolio was set for summer 2024 for teachers who had a PhD or equivalent academic degree and had either lost their portfolio or were unable to submit it in 2023.
- Starting from January 1st, 2023, public school teachers became entitled to receive their full salary, including allowances, during paid maternity leave—following an amendment to the Government of Georgia’s Resolution No. 33 (“On Determining the Amount of Financial Assistance to be Provided for the Period of Paid Leave Due to Pregnancy and Childbirth, Paid Leave for Childcare, and Paid Leave Due to Adoption of a Newborn, as well as Certain Measures to be Taken”).
Teachers were actively involved in the social partnership process between the Ministry of Education and ESFTUG. In both 2023 and 2024, professional teachers who are members of ESFTUG participated in commissions assessing teachers’ practical work (portfolios).
The two-year work of ESFTUG was unanimously evaluated positively by the Congress delegates.
During the reporting period, the ESFTUG Legal Department, headed by Giorgi Kosashvili, actively addressed individual labor disputes and cases involving violations of member rights. (See the full report enclosed.)
To improve member qualifications, continuous training sessions and seminars were organized by the ESFTUG “Employee Professional Development Center,” led by Mariam Mkalavishvili and mentored by Roland Khojanashvili, Chairman of the ESFTUG Professional Teachers’ Advisory Council. (See the relevant reports enclosed.)
ESFTUG is an innovative and dynamic organization recognized by its international partners. (See the report on international relations over the past two years.)
During the reporting period, approximately 1,300 new members and 64 primary trade union organizations joined ESFTUG. However, during the 12th Congress, criticism was also directed at certain leaders of primary and regional/city organizations who had not done enough to attract or retain members—largely due to insufficient communication with both members and non-members about the organization’s role, objectives, and achievements.
As the President of ESFTUG, I have been, and remain, self-critical—especially regarding the existing and unresolved issues faced by preschool employees.
The 12th Mid-Term Congress also positively evaluated the report of the ESFTUG Control and Audit Commission, presented by its Chairperson, Nino Danelia. The report was based on a detailed review of ESFTUG’s activities and included the financial section from the independent audit report.
P.S. A teacher and ESFTUG member expressed the desire to access the two-year report presented at the Congress. The report has been published in booklet format and is available to all members at the ESFTUG central office.
We are also ready to present and discuss the activity report at meetings held in educational institutions, for both members and non-members.
Together we achieve more.
Maia Kobakhidze
President of ESFTUG