Statistical Assessment of the Education Level of Children Living in Georgia and Its Importance

The article discusses the significance of the statistical survey of the functioning and foundational learning skills of children living in Georgian household, along with its methodological aspects, research design, and implementation stages. In particular, it is planned to identify the functional difficulties of children living in Georgia and to assess learning skills and to determine the impact of functional difficulties on learning skills. The project will conduct a statistical survey through a household survey. In particular, pre-designed questionnaires will be used to interview mothers and children in households through face-to-face interviews. The study will use a short version of Questions on Functional Difficulties of the Washington Group on Disability Statistics, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) methodology for assessing foundational learning skills, and the Eurostat methodology for calculating living standards. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to calculate internationally comparable indicators on the functioning, foundational learning skills and living conditions of children living in Georgian households, to create and disseminate a detailed research report and snapshots The main scientific novelty of the project is calculation of the Sustainable Development Goal Indicators (SDG 4.1.1, which focuses on minimum proficiency levelin reading and mathematics for grades 2/3, and SDG 4.5.1, the parity indices) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated), Eurostat Indicator (overcrowding rate) and assessment of the level of education of children living in Georgian households in various socio-economic contexts (living conditions, functional difficulties, sex, age, etc.). The article presents the survey’s sampling design, which involves a three-stage clustered random sampling process. The primary sampling unit (PSU) is a census enumeration area, the secondary sampling unit (SSU) is the household address, and the tertiary sampling unit (TSU) is a child aged 7-14 living in the household. Additionally, stratification by region and type of settlement will be introduced to reduce sampling error. The article includes the survey’s instruments, consisting of four questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, a household questionnaire, a main questionnaire, and a refusal form, all of which are based on the methodologies of the Washington Group, Eurostat, and UNICEF. The sample size, taking into account acceptable relative margin of error and the maximum design effect, is set at 1,200 households. Keywords: Educational statistics, statistics of functional difficulties, Statistical Survey on Functioning and Foundational Learning Skills of Children Living in Georgian Households, SDG indicator 4.1.1 minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics for grades 2/3, SDG indicator 4.5.1: parity indices.