Georgia, Tbilisi, Apr.7 / Trend, N. Kirtskhalia /
Learning English from first grade will be compulsory as of next year in all Georgian schools. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili made the statement at a government meeting in Kutaisi.
"So far, English is only taught from fifth grade. This is not normal and does not benefit our younger generation. Therefore, learning English from first grade will be compulsory from next year in all schools throughout Georgia," Saakashvili said.
According to the president, the Government will do everything possible to create the necessary conditions.
"This means we must prepare a lot of teachers and set high salaries," he said.
In order to improve foreign language training, the president stressed the need to show more English films with Georgian subtitles on television channels.
"We also invite foreign teachers from English-speaking countries to actively educate our kids, and there will be 1,000 in Georgia," he said.
The president also said first graders will receive computers with special training programs Sept. 1 in several pilot schools.
"Children are more interested in computers than books, and through them we must encourage their desire to learn," Saakashvili said.