PH International

Legal Socialization Program Now Available for 7th-Graders

Georgia | Georgian Legal Socialization Project | 1 Nov 2011

One of the most important components of Legal Socialization Program of Georgia is the Legal Culture Classes conducted at schools jointly by the police representative and Civil Education teacher. The classes aim to contribute to crime prevention through raising students’ awareness in legal issues. Since 2008 the program included only 9th-graders. The program largely used the textbook specifically designed for and meeting the needs of this age group. However, the experience and needs analysis indicated that implementing similar educational course is advisable for 7th-graders also. In summer 2011, a new textbook in legal culture for 7th graders titled as “Orientation in Legal Culture” was launched. Unlike the textbook for 9th graders, this book is more focused on dicsciplinary issues at a school level and is based on real stories. Written in a form of short stories and accompanied with relevant illustrationd, the examples are represented in a very enjoyable and interesting way. Together with the police representative, a class mentor (head teacher) is involved in the implementation of the program devoting 8 mentor hours to discussing problematic issues outlined in the textbook. The Legal Socialization Program for 7th graders is planned to be piloted and tried out at 10 schools of Tbilisi and Rustavi during 2011-2012 academic year. In the Framework of Social Media Component, basic training courses were conducted in 5 regions in Georgia In the framework of the component “Social Media at Schools”, 60 participants were selected in 5 regions of Georgia. The students attended the basic training on legal socialization and social media issues. Social media expert, Ms. Dodie Kharkheli and Coordinator of Legal Socialization Program conducted 3-day training courses in Tbilisi, Gori, Marneuli, Akhaltsikhe and Samtredia. The students were able to gain valuable knowledge in terms of the importance of social media and its perspectives, but also reflected on the significant factors and conditions contributing to juvenile violence and crime. As a result of the training the studets designed individual as well as joint bloggs, which are focused on crime prevention among the youngsters. Through various methods each blog aims to inform, interest and motivate youngsters.