The organization of governance and administration of Georgia’s education system reflects a hybrid system, where central bodies set national policies and frameworks while local entities handle administrative tasks to meet local needs.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Youth (MoESY) operates at the central level and plays the key policy-making authority in the education sector, plans and implements its policies and activities in accordance with relevant national legislation, international legal commitments, and frameworks for bilateral and multilateral cooperation, as well as sectoral and thematic policy documents. It holds the power to formulate education laws, regulations, and policies.

It ensures that education policy is formulated, implemented, and continuously updated to reflect the evolving needs of Georgian society. The Parliament of Georgia has a significant legislative role in determining educational policy. It passes laws that govern the entire education system, including preschool, general, vocational, and higher education, and it monitors the implementation of these policies to ensure they align with national priorities. The governance framework is shaped by key legislation such as the Law on Early and Preschool Education, the Law on General Education, the Law on Vocational Education, and the Unified Strategy for Education and Science (2022-2030).

The Ministry also manages inclusive education, ensuring that students with special educational needs are identified and supported through appropriate mechanisms. In addition to these roles, the Ministry approves and oversees the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This system standardizes qualifications across the educational system and aligns them with national and international standards. This framework is critical in ensuring that Georgian qualifications are recognized globally.

The governance and administration of Georgia’s education system are structured through a combination of central oversight and local autonomy. This arrangement is designed to ensure that national educational policies are effectively implemented while granting regional and local authorities the flexibility to adapt policies to their specific needs. Local and regional education authorities also play key roles in operational tasks and school management, working alongside the Ministry to decentralize certain aspects of educational governance. 

Regarding the institutional structure of the Education and Science sector, the MoESY exercises its executive functions through its internal departments and Legal Entities of Public Law (LEPLs). The below-mentioned bodies manage different aspects of the educational system, such as general education, vocational training, higher education, and science development.

The MoESY is composed of 11 departments: the Preschool and General Education Development Department, Vocational Education Development Department, Higher Education Development Department, Science Development Department, Legal Department, International Relations and Strategic Development Department, Economic Department, Administration Department, Internal Audit Department, Strategic Communication Department, and Department of Youth Affairs.

The General Education Department oversees policies for primary and secondary education, including curriculum development, teacher training, and school infrastructure management. The Higher Education and Research Department manages the governance of higher education institutions and research bodies, ensuring the quality of higher education programs and supporting research initiatives. The Vocational Education Development (VET) Department focuses on implementing vocational education policy, coordinating the enrollment process and VET funding, supporting the network of VET institutions along with its expansion, etc.  The International Relations and Strategic Development Department is responsible for establishing and maintaining international partnerships and collaborations in education. It is essential to align Georgia's educational policies and programs with global standards and facilitate participation in international education initiatives such as Erasmus+ and other European Union programs. Additionally, the department leads the strategic planning process, ensuring national education goals are met through innovation, international cooperation, and sustainable development. The core responsibilities of the Department of Youth Affairs include active participation in crafting and implementing state youth policy, ensuring that initiatives align with the evolving needs of young people. The department coordinates efforts among various stakeholders and reports on progress, playing a central role in driving Georgia's commitment to youth empowerment.

MoESY also oversees twelve key LEPLs, including:

• National Center for Teacher Professional Development (TPDC) 

• National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC).

• National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) 

• Skills Agency Georgia (SAG)

• Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (ORO) 

• Educational and Scientific Infrastructure Development Agency (ESIDA)

• Education Management Information System (EMIS)

• International Education Center (IED)

• Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG)  

• National Center for Education Research (NCER)

• Youth Agency (YA)

• Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration (ZSPA)

Together, these ministries and entities contribute to a holistic education system in Georgia. Through their collaboration and diverse educational programs, they ensure that Georgia’s education system is comprehensive, responsive to sector-specific needs, and aligned with global standards, covering everything from military and vocational training to arts, culture, and environmental education:

• Ministry of Defence (MoD)

• Ministry of Culture and Sports (MoCS)

•  Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from Occupied Territories, Health, Labour and Social Affairs (MoH)

• Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (MoESD)

• Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA)

• Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MoEPA)

• National Food Agency (NFA) 

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA)

(For full descriptions, see Chapter 1: Main Executive and legislative bodies)

In the Autonomous Republics of Adjara and Abkhazia, regional governments are responsible for implementing state education policy, particularly in general education. While these regions have their governing bodies, their educational policies must align with the national strategy set by the MoESY. This ensures that the education system in these regions adheres to national standards while allowing for some degree of regional autonomy in policy implementation.

Administration and Governance at the Local and/or Institutional Level

At the local level, Georgia’s education system is highly decentralized, with municipalities and Education Resource Centres (ERCs) playing crucial roles in the management and administration of schools. This decentralisation process, which was formalised through the Law on General Education, grants local authorities’ significant autonomy in managing their schools, allowing them to adapt educational policies to meet the specific needs of their communities while maintaining adherence to national standards.

Municipalities are primarily responsible for the overall administration of early and preschool education institutions within their jurisdictions. They are tasked to ensure the compliance of these institutions with the necessary legal requirements and meet quality standards. Municipalities also oversee the services, including ensuring that students in rural and remote areas have access to transportation to attend school regularly. 

Education Resource Centres (ERCs) operate within each municipality and serve as the primary administrative link between the MES and local schools. ERCs are responsible for overseeing the daily operations of schools, ensuring compliance with national standards, and reporting on school performance to both the Ministry and local authorities. ERCs also provide administrative support to schools, helping them manage budgets and implement educational programs that meet local needs. By acting as intermediaries, ERCs ensure that schools are locally responsive and aligned with national education goals.

At the institutional level, School Boards play a key governance role in managing individual schools. School Boards are responsible for hiring teachers and principals, managing school budgets, and ensuring the effective allocation of resources. They also oversee the implementation of the school curriculum, ensuring that it aligns with national standards while addressing the local community's specific needs. School Boards are essential in ensuring that schools operate efficiently and that students receive a quality education.

In the higher education sector, universities and vocational institutions operate with a degree of autonomy but must comply with national accreditation and quality standards set by the NCEQE. Governance at these institutions is typically managed by academic senates and governing boards, which ensure that the institutions operate in line with national policies and their own academic goals. This governance structure allows higher education institutions to maintain academic freedom while ensuring compliance with national quality standards.