Parliament backs changes to first-grade admission age rules

The Parliament of Georgia has considered, in the first reading, amendments to the Law of Georgia on General Education concerning the age of admission to the first grade, the Parliament reported.

The draft amendment was presented at the plenary session by Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth Zviad Gabisonia.

According to the proposed changes, an exceptional provision will be added to the transitional clauses of the law. Under this regulation, only for the 2026–2027 academic year, parents will have the option to enroll a child in the first grade if the child turns six years old between September 16, 2026 and December 31, 2026.

According to Gabisonia, this is a one-time exception that applies solely to the 2026–2027 academic year and does not alter the general rule established by law regarding the standard age for starting school.