13.2.  National Reforms in General Education

2025 (April 1 - September 14)

By Order N744303 of the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, issued on June 25, 2025, the “STEAM Education” subprogram was approved with the aim of strengthening the fields of technology, engineering, visual arts, and mathematics in schools, introducing modern and innovative teaching approaches, and developing school resources to enhance the creative and analytical skills of students and teachers. The subprogram includes activities such as conducting educational trainings, providing subject-specific mentoring, sharing teaching resources and innovative approaches, as well as offering ongoing support to the educational process in partner schools and implementing innovative projects by students. Through these activities, the subprogram aims to improve the learning environment, support teachers’ professional development, and enhance the quality of education at a systemic level.

The implementation of vocational education programs in schools is expanding. Students in grades XI-XII have the opportunity to master a profession at school, in parallel with their complete general education, receive a certificate confirming complete general education and a diploma confirming professional qualifications. And, if desired, continue their studies at a higher education institution.

2024

A complete general education in Georgia consists of three levels: primary education, basic education, and secondary education. According to the Constitution of Georgia (Par. 2 Art. 27), primary and basic education is compulsory. On 18 July 2024, the amendments were introduced to the law of Georgia “On General Education”, under which compulsory general education has increased from 15 years to 16 years, which in its turn coincides with the minimum employability age in Georgia.  As a result of the legislative changes, primary education lasts six years (as before), basic education now lasts four years and secondary education - two years.

This amendment to the Law improves the condition regarding children’s rights. The quality of their protection and preparation for future life increases, as well as the probability of making a well-grounded decision regarding transition to further stages of education.

By the resolution of the Parliament of Georgia, dated June 12, 2024, the "Document of National Goals of General Education" was approved. The national curriculum, educational resources, and school environment will be improved based on the National Goals.  The document was developed as a result of broad public consultations and active engagement of the school community. It is based on values ​​and principles, such as state-oriented thinking, respect for family, state language, history and culture, analytical and critical thinking, digital citizenship, creativity and innovation, environmental awareness, respect for ethnic diversity and cultural heritage, a free, democratic and peaceful society, sustainable development, inclusion, tolerance and justice, high civic awareness, etc.

In November 2023, an amendment was introduced to the Law of Georgia "On General Education", which, based on best Norwegian practice, creates the basis for the implementation of a new system supporting inclusive education in the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (ORO). The new model supporting inclusive education entered into force on June 1, 2024. The Inclusive and Special Education Support Center (division) was established under the Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions to provide psycho-educational assessment and counselling services. The process of setting up the center and transitioning existing support services and professionals from other state organizations has been completed. 

In 2024, the reform of the national curriculum advanced significantly, with revisions of subject standards and the development of new teaching and learning resources. 

From July 2024, a new remuneration mechanism for teachers was introduced, leading to unprecedented salary increases and accompanied by a revision of the professional development and career advancement scheme.

2023

The government of Georgia adheres to evidence-based policy-making in order to substantially improve the quality of Education. In that regard, in 2023, a new agency, the National Center for Educational Research (NCER), was established under the then Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. In 2023, based on the request submitted by the leadership of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, the National Center for Educational Research (NCER) conducted three large-scale studies, which became a legal basis for policy action. 1. Evaluation of the implementation process of the third-generation national curriculum; 2. Evaluation of teachers’ professional development and career advancement scheme. 3. Complex evaluation of school textbooks

As part of the quality assurance reforms undertaken in General Education, 2023 marked the implementation of new authorization standards and updated procedures for public schools. This included the introduction of gradual authorization processes. 

In order to facilitate the increase of the level of autonomy of schools, in December 2023, the changes were made to the first chapter – the conceptual part of the National Curriculum - the conceptual part - aimed at granting more autonomy to schools. Additionally, a remediation component was incorporated in the National Curriculum as an obligation for schools to assist academically challenged students, thus enhancing the student-centred teaching-learning process.

Georgia joined the International School Meals Coalition "Food, Health and Education for All Children" in October 2023 to receive support in the ongoing implementation process of the school meal program and share the best European experience in this direction. 

The School Meal Program was approved by the Order N1784691 of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia on 29 December 2023. Within the framework of the program, a study of local needs was carried out at the municipal level for the selection of school meal models.

According to Governmental Decree No. 221 of June 12, 2023, amending Decree No. 241 of May 23, 2019, on the “Scheme of Teacher Professional Development and Career Advancement,” practicing teachers in non-Georgian language schools/sectors (including Azerbaijani and Armenian language teachers) will retain their status until the end of the 2025–2026 academic year. To support their state language proficiency, non-Georgian-speaking teachers may take Georgian language courses offered by higher education institutions, the Teacher’s Professional Development Center (TPDC), or the Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration (ZSPA), with certification of course completion serving as proof of language competence. Additionally, teachers whose professional portfolios have been evaluated for lead or mentor teacher status must be officially granted the status by September 1 of the respective year through an administrative-legal act issued by the Director of the National Center for Teacher Professional Development.

To attract and retain qualified educators, the government implemented a teacher salary increase in May 2023. Additionally, a new career development program was introduced, offering professional growth opportunities, mentorship initiatives, and performance-based incentives.

In February 2023, the revision of the National Curriculum Standards began. With the involvement of all links of the education system, the knowledge, skills and values ​​in each subject on which lesson teaching and student education should be based will be determined; emphasis is placed on the systematic integration of non-formal education into the educational process; the degree of school independence will increase - the school itself will determine with what resources, approaches and methods it will achieve the goals of the level; the concept of the secondary level will be oriented towards the multifaceted support of the student's self-determination and realization of his potential; in addition students will be offered in-depth courses in the subject area, as well as elective subjects for greater diversity, integrated professional programs.