Georgian Education Minister Giorgi Amilakhvari reported to the Parliament in the Minister’s Hour format.

The Minister presented an annual report and elaborated on various projects the ministry implemented in 2023.

Here are the main takeaways:

In 2023, the budget for education and science was GEL 2 billion 77 million 780 thousand, and it is set to reach an unprecedented level of GEL 2 billion 508 million in 2024.

A one-billion-GEL project has already commenced, focusing on the extensive construction and rehabilitation of schools. Over 2022-2023, 71 public schools underwent construction or full rehabilitation, with 200 others receiving partial rehabilitation. Currently, construction and rehabilitation are underway for 150 public schools, and an additional 75 schools are scheduled for construction in early 2024, with a total expenditure of GEL 700.0 million.

Four new vocational colleges and workshops are under construction. In the 2022-2023 period, over GEL 36.0 million was allocated to enhance the infrastructure of vocational schools.

From July 1, 2024, a new salary formula will be implemented, leading to an unprecedented increase in teacher salaries, with an average raise of GEL 500 for full-time teachers.

The Government of Georgia’s decision also includes debt relief for approximately 27,000 Georgian students in public and private universities, allowing them to restore their status and resume studies. Additionally, starting from the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year, the number of scholarship recipients and the state scholarship amount will double.

To enhance the professional education system, the Ministry has outlined six primary directions, focusing on public-private partnerships and collaborative program implementation with the business sector representatives.

The International Education Center administers state-funded scholarship programs, allocating over GEL 42 million during 2014-2023. The centre oversees 14 scholarship/educational programs with state funding and support from foreign partners.