Providing students with courtroom experience can have a great impact on the next generation. Through tours in local courts, young citizens explore the fundamentals of our legal system and enhance their knowledge regarding the judiciary.

On September 26, 2023, with USAID Rule of Law Program support, the media agency Kutaisi Post organized a visit to the Kutaisi Court of Appeals for schoolchildren. Twenty-five high school and middle school students from Kutaisi 2nd Public School learned about the history of the court, as well as the main principles of its work.

By guiding students through the courtroom, teaching them about the importance of legal proceedings, and facilitating discussions led by judge assistant Archil Glunchadze, the visit broadened the children’s perspectives on the judiciary. “I am happy to host this type of visit. After today's meeting, some of you may decide to make working within the judicial system your future profession.” - noted Archil Glunchadze when addressing the students.

As part of the tour, the students learned about the rules of court proceedings and the history of the courthouse. They visited the courtrooms for both criminal and civil cases. The students also had the opportunity to roleplay and be a judge, prosecutor, represent parties, etc. They found this activity particularly exciting.

“It was a very interesting visit. I got acquainted with the Court of Appeals. I hope to participate in similar activities in the future.” - said Luka Tsirekidze, a public-school student. Another youngster, Liza Doghonadze noted: “We learned a lot of interesting things about the court and what happens in it, and I am glad that I came here.”  

The teachers emphasized the importance of such tours. They noted that students had theoretical knowledge of how courts work, but this time they were able to see it in practice. Moreover, this type of visit can influence children’s professional future. “In civic education classes, we often talk about the third branch of government, the judiciary, and today the students were able to connect the classroom knowledge with the actual practice” - said 2nd Public School teacher Nino Tevdoradze.

The event was organized within the framework of the USAID Rule of Law Program-supported project with the Kutaisi Post that aims to increase public awareness of judiciary-related issues and ongoing reforms through various communication channels. Kutaisi Post will hold three more tours in Imereti region courts.