— In less than 100 words, what is your idea?

Using new/social media to allow parents to rate and monitor schools and other educational facilities so that a) they are accountable and b) new parents can choose the right schools with the right facilities and extra-curricular services for their children in their specific residential districts.

— What is the social need or challenge your idea could address?

At the moment, much of this peer-to-peer advice is occurring via word of mouth. However, not everybody receives the fullest advice and some none at all. Moreover, as Internet penetration increases, more parents are online and so would have access to such a network which could also be used by international organizations, government bodies, NGOs and Parent-Teacher Associations to monitor conditions and the meeting of national standards.

— What’s really new about your idea?

At the moment, much of this peer-to-peer advice is occurring via word of mouth. However, not everybody receives the fullest advice and some none at all. Moreover, as Internet penetration increases, more parents are online and so would have access to such a network which could also be used by international organizations, government bodies, NGOs and Parent-Teacher Associations to monitor conditions and the meeting of national standards.

Stage of development

— What inspired you to come up with your idea in the first place?

Anyone with children already knows the difficulty in finding the right school for their children. In countries in the South Caucasus, the situation is even worse. However, as more parents are online, having access to the right tools and the creation of a parent social network seems natural given the popularity of other non-specific social network sites such as Facebook and Odnoklassniki.

— From 1-5, what stage of development would you say your idea was in?

1

— In order of importance for helping the development of your idea at this stage how would you rank the following:

2 : Geek
1 : Mentor
3 : Funder

— If Social Innovation Camp is able to help push your idea forward, do you have the time or desire to take ownership of it?

No

— If not, would you be happy for someone else to take your idea forward?

Yes

— What’s your day job?

Journalist, Photojournalist, New Media

— What do you do for fun?

Drink :)

— What do you think the best tool on the web is?

Facebook

— Tell us anything else you think we should know, but keep it to less than 150 words.

This idea was actually from Arsen Stepanyan at Counterpart International who cannot participate because he will be in Afghanistan in April. However, I have decided to submit the idea for him as there is a real need and such a system could have real effect and purpose in all three countries of the South Caucasus.

— Please give us your name:

Onnik Krikorian