Minister Jejelava introduces upcoming changes to Georgian education system
Tweet 
Share
The Georgian education system is preparing a series of changes to allow for more flexibility in schools and to promote student-guided learning.
Georgian Education Minister Aleksandre Jejelava introduced the upcoming changes to Georgia’s education system with the diplomatic corps and international organisations in Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi today.
General Education
Jejelava believes more free hours need to be introduced to primary schools to make the classes more interesting and interactive along with the general subjects the students are learning on a daily basis.
The minister said the number of mandatory subjects will be decreased to give students more space for expressing themselves so that along with the quality education they will also develop critical thinking skills.
Increased number of sport and art classes will aim at helping kids stay in good health and shape.
Vocational Education
Minister Jejelava believes professional education is an important precondition for finding jobs relevant to one’s qualifications. He said the vocational colleges running in different regions of Georgia including Tbilisi provide a number of opportunities to students who want to acquire skills in certain trades that interest them.
10,000 students chose vocational education last year… We think professional education becomes more and more popular year after year”, Jejelava said.
37 colleges in Georgia offer over 150 professions free of charge. Without being limited to any specific age group, the colleges provide ample opportunities with state funding. The ministry is now working on improving the legislation to allow those with general and trade education to pursue higher education as well.
As of today, only those who successfully graduate from high school can apply to university.
Higher Education
The ministry says that high-quality universities are necessary in order to boost the economy. In particular, universities should prepare students in all fields that are in demand by the country.
We should do our best to make sure both Georgians and foreigners receive internationally approved diplomas in Georgia”, Jejelava said adding that there are over 10,000 foreign students studying in Georgia nowadays and around 20 programs with internationally approved diplomas.
Science
Jejelava said he would like to see Georgia become a scientific and research hub not only in the Caucasus region but in Eastern Europe, Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The minister believes the young scientists both in Georgia and outside the country will unite under joint projects that will run in line with Georgia’s Horizon 2020 – the European Union's (EU) framework program for research and innovation and will cooperate with other scientific foundations as well.
Jejelava said young scientists and inventors should also have their commercial interests to develop their career goals and stay committed to their homeland.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked US Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly yesterday and the Government of the United States for their long-term contribution to the country’s development.
140Ha University research campus for 60,000 students
Georgia is embracing a new era of education that will transform tertiary learning and make the country one of the educational leaders of the region.
Researchers and innovators from Georgia will now be able to participate in the EU's framework program for research and innovation under the same conditions as their counterparts from EU member states and other associated countries.
A charity fund established and financed by Georgian tycoon and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili will finance the building of a new university in Tbilisi.
Georgia is among twenty countries participating in a three-day international educational fair with its debut "Study in Georgia” program in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The program launched by the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science aims at making Georgia an international hub of education.
600 foreign students registered to apply at public and private Georgian universities during a three-day international educational fair in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
A new national curriculum for primary grades based on the Estonian experience will upgrade pre-school and general education in Georgia.
The Government of Georgia has adopted national mandatory standards and technical regulations on pre-school education.
The Georgian Education Ministry is launching a new project to boost the development of professional skills of students at schools. To this end, 3,000 students were engaged in a pilot project last year, while now the ministry plans to expand its geographic reach to ensure everyone has access to professional education.
The Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili announced at today’s governmental meeting that the government is taking steps to create a new model for vocation education which will be based on German, Austrian and Swiss experience in the field.
Kvirikashvili spoke about the changes which will be carried out.
Amendments made to the law On General Education has entered into force in Georgia, strengthening security in schools and preventing offences among schoolchildren.
Resource officers have reported 17,739 violations or alleged violations at Georgian public schools between April and November of 2019, confiscating 1,228 banned items.