Georgia celebrates National Teacher’s Day for first time, awarding meritorious professionals around country

Georgia celebrated National Teacher’s Day on Friday for the first time ever in the country’s recent history, awarding the meritorious teachers with the National Teacher Prize and a cash prize of ₾10,000 ($3,710).

The Education Ministry revealed 11 winners of the Teacher Prize, based on their “special contribution” to the development of the public and education system, from all around Georgia.

Photo via Government Administration

The special commission selected professionals teaching mathematics, Georgian language and literature, biology, physics, foreign languages and history from Georgia’s capital Tbilisi, the Black Sea city of Batumi, western Chokhatauri, Khulo and Tskaltubo municipalities, as well as from southern Tsalka municipality.

Teachers from the Georgian village of Eredvi in the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali, Marneuli municipality bordering neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia, village of Duisi in Georgia’s Muslim-populated Pankisi Gorge region and southeastern Ninotsminda municipality bordering Armenia were also chosen as the professionals of 2023.

Photo via Government Administration

Established by the Government of Georgia, the National Teacher’s Day marks the birthday of Iakob Gogebashvili - a Georgian educator, teacher, publicist, writer and founder of scientific pedagogy in the country.

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Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili congratulated teachers on their day at the National Teacher Prize award ceremony, highlighting the importance of their profession and noting a “decent and educated” generation was the “main foundation” for the country's strength, with teachers having an “immeasurably large role in the solidity and strength of this foundation”.