"Words are valued by action – action, by results!"
We remind you that, based on the decision of the 2014 Congress of the Free Trade Union of Teachers and Scientists of Georgia (ESFTUG), the union's two main areas of focus were defined as:
1. The protection of employees’ labor and socio-economic rights
2. Support for professional development
Since then, and in parallel with ongoing reforms, the ESFTUG Center for Professional Development of Employees in Educational Institutions has been actively operating, offering:
• 35 training modules for staff of general education schools
• 15 training modules for employees of preschool institutions
During the reporting period, the Center developed:
🔹 9 new training modules for schoolteachers
🔹 6 new training modules for preschool staff
In total, the Center conducted:
1. 512 trainings:
  – 288 for public schoolteachers
  – 224 for preschool employees
2. 56 long-term subject-specific preparatory trainings
3. 31 short-term subject-specific exam preparation trainings
4. 11 trainings on teacher portfolio assessment
5. A special program for Azerbaijani- and Armenian-speaking teachers to help them pass national exams
6. A new course launched in 2025: "Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Learning Process"
7. Special training: "Learning to Work with the TEAMS Platform" – offered in Georgian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian
8. "Introducing STEM Approaches at the Primary Level"
9. "Creating a Blog and Developing a Teaching Portfolio"
10. 10 trainings for school librarians: "Library Management for School Librarians"

Maia Kobakhidze, President of ESFTUG:
"During the reform period, challenges and needs related to career advancement came to the forefront. We invested our energy and financial resources into protecting professional interests. Some even reproached us for drifting away from traditional union activities and assuming responsibilities that should belong to the state. But we chose to stand by our members and support them in fulfilling reform-mandated obligations. Since 2015, tens of thousands of teachers have upgraded their status, and preschool staff have improved their qualifications. I truly believe there is no greater contribution we could have made. I say this with confidence, based on the gratitude and feedback we continue to receive from educators across the country."
"The professionalism and civic engagement of every member increases the role of the union!"
Let us not forget: our core mission remains the improvement of teaching and learning quality by raising educators' qualifications and motivation – all to elevate the overall quality of education.
As professionalism increases, so does educators’ motivation to participate actively in union activities and decision-making processes.
And most importantly – and joyfully – our members demonstrate a high level of openness to innovation, along with a strong spirit of collegiality and readiness to support their peers.