Georgia Education

Education Overview
The Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia is responsible for the provision of education in Georgia. Education is compulsory in the Republic of Georgia from Primary school until the first stage of Secondary school. The academic year is broken into three trimesters. The academic year is approximately 180 a days. Vacations are three times a year, Winter, Easter and Summer holidays.
Structure of school system

Elementary/ Primary Education
Age level from: 6 to: 12
Primary school is divided into two semesters. The first semester commences around the 14th of September. The second semester finishes around June 14th.

SIx main groups of subjects are taught.
1. Georgian language and literature (In Abkhazian Autonomous Republic – Abkhazian and Georgian)
2. Mathematics
3. Natural sciences (chemistry, physics, biology and a course in natural sciences in the primary school. With these subjects there is also taught physical geography)
4. Georgian history, Georgian geography and other public sciences (mandatory - Georgian history, Georgian geography, social education, religions and the society; selective - economy, the state and citizenship, law, philosophy and religion)
5. Foreign languages (the national educational plan envisages teaching Russian, English, German and French, but the schools have the right to teach any other language instead)
6. Physical, labour and aesthetic training (this includes integrated course in arts-labour and physical training; also selective subjects in middle classes: information and communication technologies, journalism, music, cinema and theatre).

Basic/ Secondary Education
Duration: 3 Years
Age level from: 13 to: 15
Certificate/diploma awarded:Arasruli Sashulo Ganaltebis Motsmoba

The same subjects are taught as those in primary school although students now have the opportunity to specilise in subjects from natural sciences, social sciences or aesthetic-labour sciences apart from the mandatory subjects (Georgian language and literature, Georgian history, mathematics).
After Basic Secondary Education students have the option of Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestai or the Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi(Vocational School). Each of these options focus on different skill and academic development.

After Basic Secondary Education students have the option of Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestai or the Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi. Each of these options focus on different skill and academic development.

Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis DiplomiSpecial Secondary School
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to: 18

Secondary Education : Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestasi
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 18

Higher education:
There are twenty-four state higher education institutions and fourteen branches in Georgia. In addition, 81 private higher education institutions have passed the accreditation process. These higher education institutions offer over 300 different programmes including highly specialized courses including Kartvelian languages (related to Georgian) and Caucasian languages, as well as traditional Science and Technology subjects. Technical and specialized institutes offer studies in Metallurgy, Cableway and Railway Transport, Chemical and Food Technology, and Wine Making, Silkworm Breeding, the growing of tea and citrus fruits. Courses in Fine Arts (Theatre, Cinematography, Painting, and Sculpture) are provided by specialized higher education institutions.
University level studies
Entry Requirements
In order to gain admission into University prospective candidates must complete a national entrance exam and the completion Secondary Education. As such student must complete
1) * Zogadi Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestai ; or
* Sashualo Prophesiuli Sastsavlebis Diplomi
2) Entrance Exam : Unified National Exam ( Ertiani Erovnuli Gamocdebi)
The Unified National Exam was set up to replace entrance exams which were set by indivdual universities although it is important to note that some universities may set their own entrance requirments.
Academic year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Long vacation from: Jul to: Sep
Languages of instruction: Georgian, Russian
University Level Stages
University level first stage: Bakalavris Akademiuri Kharishki; Diplomirebuli Specialisti:
The duration of the first stage is usually four years. Students are awarded a Bakalavris Khariskhi (Bachelor’s degree). Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honour).Technical studies in university are usually five years in duration. Students are awarded Diplomirebuli Specialistis Akademiuri Xarisxi (Certified Specialist Academic Degree). Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honours).
University level second stage: Magistris Akademiuri Khariskhi:
The second stage leads to the award of a Magistris Khariskhi (Master’s degree) after two years’ study. Students with excellent marks are awarded a Diplomi Tsarchinebit (Diploma with Honour).
University level third stage: Doctoris Akademiriu Xarisxi:
Students who were awarded a Magistri Khariskhi may continue their studies at the third stage. Doctorandura comprises three years’ study and ends with the presentation and defence of a thesis that leads to a PhD.

Foreign students admission
Definition of foreign student: Foreign students are those who are not citizens of Georgia.
Quotas: 10%
Admission requirements: Foreign students are admitted to higher education institutions on the basis of an interview.
Entry regulations: Visas
Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Georgian, Russian or English.
Recognition of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in foreign countries
are recognised in Higher level institutions as per the Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the Euroepan Region,1999.

Student Welfare & Benefits Provision

Health/social provisions	Social security for home students: No Social security for foreign students: No	Special student travel fares: By road: No By rail: Yes By air: Yes Available to foreign students: Yes
Student expenses and financial aid	Student costs: Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 100 (US Dollar) Maximum: 2000 (US Dollar)	Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 750 (US Dollar) Maximum: 2500 (US Dollar)
Type of financial aid available: Scholarships/grants/fellowships:	Higher vocational/technical studies: Home: Yes Foreign: Yes	First Degree studies: Home: Yes Foreign: Yes	Advanced/doctoral studies: Home: Yes Foreign: Yes
Loans:	Higher vocational/technical studies: Home: No Foreign: No	First degree studies: Home: No Foreign: No	Advanced/doctoral studies: Home: No Foreign: No

Bodies providing information on student financial aid:
Department of Planning and Financing, Ministry of Education
52, Uznadze Street
102 Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995(32) 958886
Fax: +995(32) 957010
Website http://www.mes.gov.ge

Vocational Training Opportunities
There are two types of the vocational training options. The first option focuses on a profession which is a continuation of secondary education; Sashualo Ganatlebis Atestai .The course duration of tuition is 3 years .
The second option focuses on acquiring a technical education, where the duration of tuition is a year and is provided on the basis of the secondary education; Sashualo Profesiuli Sastsavleblis Diplomi.

Vocational Training Centres (NGO & Governmental)
Gaia - Environmental and Civil Education Centre
Activity: Vocational training for pedagogues
Address : 180, Agmashenebeli Avenue, (Institute of Teachers’ Training), 0112
Tbilisi
Phone: +995 (32) 34 11 34;
E-mail: gaia@access.sanet.ge

MTENY Association
Activity: Vocational training for journalists
Address : 42 Rustaveli Avenue,
Tbilisi; Georgia, 380008
Tel: (995 32) 92 11 91
Fax: (995 32) 92 14 94
Email: info@mteny.ge

National Health Management Centre (NHMC)
Activity: Vocational training for medical personnel
Location: Tbilisi
Orthos - Charity Foundation for Disabled Children Rehabilitation
Activity: Vocational training for medical personnel
Address: 0160, Georgia, Tbilisi, 18a Vaja Pshavela St
Tel: (99532) 963871
Fax: (99532) 963871
E-mail: nino@orthos.ge

Kobuleti Professional Lyceum
154, Rustaveli Str, Kobuleti

Zugdidi Professional Lyceum
222, Agmashenebeli Str, Zugdidi

Rustavi Professional Lyceum
4, Shartava Ave, Rustavi

Akhaltsikhe Professional Lyceum
91, Rustaveli Str, Akhaltsikhe

Kutaisi Professional Lyceum
61, Kosmonavtebi Str, Kutaisi

Mestia Professional Lyceum
4, Stalin Str, Mestia

Association of disabled women and mother of disabled children
Address:2100, Georgia, Zugdidi, 51 Rustaveli St
Tel: (995215)50139
Fax: (995215)50139
E-mail:madonna_k@gol.ge

Contact Details
Integrated and Inclusive Education Centre for Disabled Children
6, Gaprindauli Street, 0154
34 80 12
99 42 66

Department of Academic Recognition and Mobility, Ministry of Education and Science
(Deals with credential recognition for entry to University)
52, Uznadze Street
0102 Tbilisi
Georgia
Tel: +995(32) 969-841
Fax: +995(32) 969-841

Special Education
The public policy for providing special education is to give disabled persons an appropriate general education and, where required, therapeutic training, in spe-cial schools devoted to this purpose. There are specialized curricula and special syllabuses of instruction, and teaching methods. Special vocational and technical courses are aiming at enabling graduates to perform a relevant profession and reach employment as well as improving students’ physical and psychological conditions. In 1996, there were 18 special boarding schools, and two pre-school institutions for blind children and those with speech disorder. In total, there were some 200 students enrolled in these institutions.
Special schools are maintained by the State, but charity organizations have played an increasingly important role since the early 1990s. They are contributing not only to running costs, but as well to cover the costs of specialized teaching and learning equipment, and of medical treatment resp. physical therapies.

Special Education : Contact Details
Association of disabled women and mother of disabled children
Address:2100, Georgia, Zugdidi, 51 Rustaveli St
Tel: (995215)50139
Fax: (995215)50139
E-mail:madonna_k@gol.ge

Integrated and Inclusive Education Centre for Disabled Children
6, Gaprindauli Street, 0154
34 80 12
99 42 66