National education plan to aim for “patriotism, national spirit, identity”, Minister tells Parliament

Georgian Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari on Thursday told the country’s Parliament his office’s plans for the national general education system aimed to “strengthen patriotism, national spirit, national identity, state thinking, respect for the family institution and general and universal values ​​in students”.

He said the plan marked the first approval of an updated vision since 2004, following “extensive discussions” and “active involvement” of schools, and told MPs strengthening the autonomy of general educational institutions and providing schools with “more academic freedom” were included in the plan.

Amilakhvari said vocational programmes would be introduced in 20 public schools across the country and graduating students would have the opportunity to master their desired profession within schools.

Additionally, the Minister announced construction and renovation of over 170 schools was underway at a total cost of ₾915 million ($328mln).

Amilakhvari also highlighted the involvement of the private sector in professional education through public-private partnerships.

Important steps have been taken within a new vision for professional education, including determining the authority of principals over five-year terms, developing a new methodology for qualifications at the professional education level and strengthening the introduction of professional education in schools. Efforts have also begun to prepare and retrain teachers according to international standards”, he said.

The Minister noted salaries of all public school teachers would be increased by an average of ₾500 ($179.23) from July 1.

He told lawmakers the number of scholarship recipients and amount of state scholarships had been doubled from the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year, adding successful students of higher state institutions had been receiving a monthly scholarship of ₾300 ($107.54) from October to July instead of ₾150 ($53.77).

The increased scholarship is now awarded to 5,000 students, up from the previous 2,500, he also said, adding the Government had decided to write off existing debts of up to ₾30 million ($10.75mln) for approximately 27,000 students of public and private universities.

Amilakhvari also mentioned the International Education Centre of the country had sponsored 191 citizens to study abroad in 2023 and extended funding to 34 high academic performers who won scholarships last year, amounting to a total cost of ₾5.8 million ($2.08mln).

The Minister said distance learning, both partially and fully online, would be allowed in the country, with a list of study areas where e-learning could be partially or fully utilised  to be determined.

Recognition of education received abroad through distance learning will also be permitted and regulations established, to enable the creation of “entirely online universities” after the development of quality assurance standards, the official added.

Amilakhvari also told the Parliament his Ministry had studied developed specific models to ensure school meal provision.