Parliamentary Committees Support Return of Deda Ena to Schools

The Committees on Finance and Budget and Education, Science and Culture of the Parliament of Georgia supported the legislative initiative presented by Georgian Dream MPs Zaza Gabunia and Mariam Jashi, according to which the national language book of Georgia 'Deda Ena' (Mother Tongue) will be returned to the educational program of schools.

Deda Ena, created by the famous Georgian public figure, educator, journalist and writer Iakob Gogebashvili in 1865, used to be taught at schools around until the 2000s when adapted Georgian language books were printed for schools instead. 

The book is inscribed on the registry of Georgia's Intangible Cultural Heritage and represents an introduction and children's primer to the Georgian language. 

The draft envisages creating a new version of the book, very close to Iakob Gogebashvli’s version. The new edition will be analyzed by experts before being introduced in schools. 

Georgian Parliament reports that the International Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage requires the protection of intangible cultural heritage monuments which, in accordance with the Convention, envisages ensuring the viability of that heritage.

If the draft is adopted by Parliament, it means that once printed, no additional changes can be made to the book. 

By Thea Morrison