The Public Defender of Georgia welcomes the decision of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth to develop a general exceptional rule for recording student attendance and to reflect it in legislation.

On October 8, 2024, the Public Defender of Georgia addressed the Minister of Education, Science and Youth with a recommendation to protect students from violence, ensure an emotionally safe environment and conduct monitoring.

As a result of the study of individual cases, it was revealed that the national education system does not provide for a different approach for students who do not attend classes of a specific teacher as a sign of protest, based on a alleged violation of their rights or the rights of other children. Although in such cases, the school may ensure that the student attends classes with another teacher, absences are still recorded.

According to the Public Defender, all this indicated the need to implement an effective and child-friendly approach to ensure access to education.

According to the information received on June 9, 2025, the Ministry of Education of Georgia fully endorsed the recommendation of the Public Defender of Georgia and made a decision to develop a general exceptional rule for recording student attendance and to reflect it in legislation. The exceptional rule applies to the cases when, in the event of an alleged violation of rights by a teacher, a student does not attend classes and another teacher provides classes to him/her. In addition, the Department of Preschool and General Education Development will be obliged to engage in the case management process and ensure monitoring of the process.

The Public Defender of Georgia positively assesses the decision of the Ministry of Education and notes that the physical and psycho-emotional safety of students is a fundamental prerequisite for the full realization of the right to education.

The Public Defender believes that protecting children's rights in the education system and providing a supportive environment for them is critically important and once again emphasizes the need for cooperation between agencies and a unified vision to achieve this goal.