Georgian PM says 37,000 teachers to see average $175 raise in pay

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said 37,000 teachers across the country - 70 percent of the total number working in the profession - would see an average increase of ₾500 ($174.53) in their salaries starting on July 1.

He added a “certain category” of teachers would receive ₾800 ($279.25) more in their monthly pay.

There are 52,000 teachers in public schools [...] All teachers will receive a minimum of ₾200 ($69.81) increase in their salaries, while salaries of 25 percent will be increased by at least ₾300 ($104.72). This is a significant increase in salary, which in the end, naturally, will have a positive impact on the general education system as a whole, on the quality of education in our country”, Kobakhidze said.

The PM further emphasised reforms in education would continue over the next four years, extending to all areas of education.

At the same time, work will continue on improving the career growth system, which is also very important. There were some shortcomings in this direction and together with the [Education] Minister we will actively continue to work on these issues”, he said.

Georgian Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari last week 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”.

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

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.

Additionally, the Minister announced construction and renovation of over 170 schools was underway at a total cost of ₾915 million ($319.40mln).