Resource Officers ensure safety, reduce violence at schools in Georgia

The appointment of special security experts to schools in Georgia’s regions Georgia has brought major positive effects to the education sphere, including a reduction in violence, fewer absences and an increase in respect for other people and their property, says the Ministry of Education.

As part of the Ministry’s efforts to promote safe school environments, specially trained Resource Officers were sent to seven new schools in six regions of the country at the start of the 2015-2016 academic year.

Resource Officers were responsible for ensuring safety and security of the children and the school. As a rule two Resource Officers were sent to each school. 

The Ministry said the Resource Officers underwent special training before they were sent to a school.

During the last two years the Institute of Resource Officers has undergone serious changes and now it offers wider range of service including the security aspect as well as a psychological service and other obligations at schools. 

Owing to the Institute, school violations have significantly decreased from year to year,” the Ministry said. 

 Researches conducted by the Statistics and Analytical Department of the Ministry, the introduction of Resource Officers into schools has led to a safer learning environment and a decrease in violence. 

Specifically, schools with Resource Officers saw: 

• school violence reduced by 97 percent;
• vandalism incidents reduced by 97 percent; 
• student tardiness in classes decreased 95 percent;
•  student absenteeism decreased 80 percent; and
• Tobacco use decrease by 73 percent.

This academic year, Resource Officers were appointed to six village schools in eastern Telavi, Bolnisi, Marveuli, Gardabani and Kareli municipalities for the first time. 

Specifically, the officers were sent to schools in Karajalali Village in Telavi, in Sadakhlo Village in Marneuli, in Kazreti Village in Bolnisi, in Agara Village in Kareli, and in Gamarjveba, Karajala and Kesalo villages in Gardabani districts. 

From November Iormughalo Village in eastern Sagarejo region will also enjoy the service of Resource Officers, while Lambalo Village in the same municipality will be allocated Resource Officers from next year. 

Since the establishment of the Institute of Resource Officers in 2010, 1,169 officers have been trained and were now working in 418 public schools around the country.