1. Funding

The funding of early childhood and school education in Georgia represents a collaborative effort between national and local authorities to ensure every child has access to quality education. At the heart of these efforts is the commitment to universal access, ensuring that children from all backgrounds, whether urban or rural, have the opportunity to attend school and receive a quality education. Inclusivity is another core priority, with targeted funding to address disparities and provide resources for underserved communities. Improving the quality of education also remains central, with investments directed toward teacher training, modernizing facilities, and equipping schools with necessary resources. Lastly, the funding system aligns closely with Georgia’s national development agenda, recognizing education as a cornerstone for building a skilled and competitive workforce.

1.1 Funding of Early Childhood education and care

This stage of education, which encompasses public kindergartens and private childcare facilities, is financed through a combination of public and private contributions, with municipalities taking the lead in managing and funding operations. The form, rules, and conditions for municipalities to finance public institutions are determined by the municipal Sakrebulos (municipal assemblies). Municipal authorities, particularly through entities like the Tbilisi Kindergarten Management Agency, oversee the operations of public kindergartens within the municipality managing everything from budget allocation to infrastructure development. The agency’s role ensures a more organized and efficient use of resources tailored specifically to the needs of the urban population. The central government supports this framework with policy direction and targeted investments, while international partners and households contribute additional resources to improve quality and access.

This decentralized approach allows local governments to address the unique needs of their communities, ensuring that public preschools remain accessible and functional. These funds cover basic operational costs, including teacher salaries, utilities, and facility maintenance. By covering the expenses for essential services, including meals, the law seeks to reduce disparities in early education access, fostering inclusivity and equality from a young age.

In addition to local and central authorities, international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Bank often collaborate with Georgian stakeholders to provide supplementary funding and expertise. These contributions typically focus on enhancing rural access to preschool education, upgrading facilities, and offering specialized training for early childhood educators. 

1.2 Funding of Single-Structure and Upper Secondary Education

General education in Georgia is primarily funded through a per-student voucher system introduced by the Law on General Education. This system provides schools with a set amount of funding for each student enrolled^[1], with adjustments made for school location and needs. (Decree 476) The voucher amount is calculated considering the number of students, hourly workload, and administrative and other expenses determined by the national curriculum.

In addition to the standard voucher, basic funding is determined for public schools, underlined by relevant legislative orders and decrees, including the decree on determining the financial norm for financing general education per student and the amount of its corresponding standard voucher (Decree 476). 

2. Financial Autonomy and Control

Early childhood education institutions, such as public kindergartens, operate under local municipalities' financial and administrative control. Per the Law of Georgia on Early and Preschool Education, the public institution must submit annual financial reports to the founder according to the municipality's plan.

Schools in Georgia are granted a degree of financial autonomy under the Law on General Education. This allows schools to manage their budgets based on allocated voucher funds, which cover operational costs like teacher salaries and maintenance. Smaller schools with fewer than a certain number of students can request additional funding to cover fixed costs, ensuring they can operate effectively despite lower student enrolment.

The school board of trustees shall submit a report on the progress of the educational process to the school by December 10 of each year and a report on financial activities within the deadlines established by the legislation of Georgia.

The 2022-2030 Unified National Strategy encourages performance-based financial models and enhances accountability in school financial management.

3. Fees Within Public Education

The Law on General Education mandates that public general education be free for all students. This includes eliminating tuition, textbooks, and examination fees. The government’s no-fee policy ensures that financial barriers do not prevent children from accessing education, aligning with the strategy’s broader goal of equity and inclusivity in education.

Similarly, the Law on Early and Preschool Education ensures that preschool education in public institutions is free, thereby supporting equal access to early childhood education and aligning with the strategy’s broader goals of inclusivity and equity.

4. Financial Support for Learners Families

The Georgian legal framework provides a range of financial support and mandates to ensure accessible education for all students, particularly those from low-income families. The Law on Early and Preschool Education stipulates that municipalities must provide free preschool education, which includes covering the cost of meals for all children, ensuring that early childhood education remains accessible without financial barriers.

As per the Law on General Education, a voucher system is established to subsidize essential school expenses for general education students. This financial instrument aims to cover key educational costs, including necessary supplies, ensuring that families with limited economic resources can access essential educational resources.

4.1 Financial Support for Families of Pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Georgia’s legislative framework provides structured support for children with special educational needs (SEN) in both early childhood and general education. According to the "Law on General Education," the state implements a voucher system to fund public schools, allocating financial resources per student. This voucher-based funding ensures that SEN students have access to necessary resources and additional educational services beyond standard requirements, supporting a learning environment adapted to their specific needs. Additionally, public schools are mandated to offer individualized learning plans based on the National Curriculum, tailored for students facing significant learning and accessibility challenges. For early childhood education, the "Law on Early and Preschool Education" designates municipalities as the responsible bodies for funding inclusive services for SEN children. This includes financial and infrastructural support for institutions delivering early education aligned with SEN requirements. By mandating these provisions, Georgia’s laws promote accessibility, inclusion, and equality for SEN students from early childhood through their school years, establishing a comprehensive support system to facilitate their educational journey.

5. Financial Support for Learners

In addition to free education, the government provides free textbooks and materials for all public-school students. Transportation for students in remote areas is covered under the Access to General Education Program, ensuring that children in rural and mountainous regions can attend school without bearing travel costs. 

6. Private Education

In Georgia, the funding for private educational institutions, including early childhood and school education, is regulated to ensure independence from direct state financing. Private early childhood education centres operate independently, relying on tuition payments from families and private contributions. These institutions must adhere to national standards to ensure quality and compliance with educational standards but do not receive financial support from municipal budgets, which primarily fund public early childhood education facilities​.

In general education, Resolution No. 476 of the Government of Georgia refers to the financial norms for financing general education and determining the corresponding standard voucher amount. The voucher amount for private schools is 300 GEL per student.