Protest erupts outside Tbilisi Public School No. 21 following last-minute closure over structural safety concerns

Parents and pupils protested outside Tbilisi Public School No. 21 following a last-minute text message announcing the building’s immediate closure due to structural safety concerns. The official expert finding forced an abrupt halt to classes and left pupils facing reassignment to alternative schools.

Families expressed deep outrage at receiving the administrative notification a mere twenty-four hours before the start of the academic year. Parents of the affected pupils raised concerns that the sudden shutdown might be a precursor to the demolition or commercial sale of the historic school property.

Protesting families demanded that if continuing education in the former German School building is indeed impossible, the entire teaching staff must be kept intact and relocated collectively to suitable alternative premises. They firmly rejected any proposed move to remote learning.

In response to the demonstration, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Municipal Development Fund held an emergency meeting with the school administration. Following the discussions, the headteacher confirmed that management was informed late yesterday afternoon of the building’s structural compromised state and the immediate suspension of on-site teaching.

All parties subsequently agreed to use the coming week to negotiate an alternative arrangement that fully safeguards the children’s educational interests and satisfies the school community.