The Constitution of Georgia, adopted on August 24, 1995, lays the foundation for the country's political system, based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights. The preamble of the Constitution emphasizes the commitment to independence, democracy, and a fair legal order. It defines Georgia as a democratic republic with a separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Georgia is a parliamentary republic. The Prime Minister holds executive authority and oversees the implementation of national policies, including education. The government, led by the Prime Minister, is responsible for implementing domestic and foreign policies, managing state administration, and ensuring the enforcement of laws.
The Parliament of Georgia is the country's supreme representative body that exercises legislative power, defines the main directions of the country’s domestic and foreign policies, controls the activities of the Government within the scope established by the Constitution, and exercises other powers. Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping the legislative framework for education by enacting education-related laws and ensuring policies reflect the country’s strategic goals. The Education, Science, and Youth Affairs Committee is the most significant parliamentary body related to education. This committee is responsible for shaping educational policies and legislative initiatives concerning all levels of Georgia’s education system, from preschool education to higher education institutions. It drafts, discusses, and amends education-related laws, ensuring they align with national goals and international standards.
Local self-governance plays an integral role in Georgia’s political system, allowing municipalities and regions significant control over local matters such as budget management, infrastructure, and social services. The Constitution guarantees the right to local self-government, and the Code of Local Self-Government defines the roles and responsibilities of local authorities. This decentralized system promotes public engagement in decision-making processes at the regional level. Governance occurs at the municipal level, including self-governing cities (Tvitmmartveli communities/ Tvitmmartveli Temi). Municipalities are structured around three key bodies: the legislative Council (Sakrebulo), the City Hall (Gamgeoba), and the Mayor (Gamgebeli or Meri in cities), who oversees executive functions. The Sakrebulo and Mayors are elected for four years through direct, universal, equal, and secret ballots.
Local governments are responsible for implementing state policies at the community level, managing schools, and ensuring national educational standards are upheld. An important focus of local governments is on educational facilities, especially the establishment and management of preschools and non-formal educational institutions, ensuring early childhood development and community-based educational services.
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth (MoESY) plays a leading role in shaping Georgia’s educational landscape. It is the primary government body responsible for the overall governance and administration of the national education system and coordinating educational reforms, often introducing initiatives to improve the quality of teaching, learning outcomes, and access to education nationwide. This ministry is responsible for developing national curricula, overseeing teacher training, managing youth development programs, and driving innovation in the fields of science and technology. Additionally, it ensures that the education system meets international standards, including commitments to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and broader EU integration goals. The ministry also prioritises lifelong learning, digital transformation, and STEM education to equip students with skills for the future workforce. In addition to its core departments, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth oversees several key agencies that contribute to the effective functioning of Georgia’s education system:
The National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) is vital in providing quality assurance and accreditation for educational institutions, ensuring that the education system aligns with national and international standards. This structure guarantees that Georgia’s education system remains competitive, accessible, and inclusive for all learners.
The National Assessment and Examinations Center (NAEC) is responsible for designing, administering, and regulating the country’s national examination system. It organises crucial assessments and university entrance exams (determining students' eligibility for higher education). These examinations ensure a fair and transparent selection process for students advancing to their next education level. NAEC also works on standardized assessments to evaluate student performance across various subjects, providing valuable data that helps inform educational policy and practice. By ensuring the fairness and transparency of these examinations, NAEC upholds the integrity of Georgia's education system, giving students a reliable and merit-based pathway to higher education. Furthermore, NAEC conducts periodic reviews of the exam formats and contents, adapting them to the evolving educational needs of the country.
The Skills Agency Georgia is a public-private partnership established by the Government of Georgia and the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It introduces an innovative management model for vocational education and training, recognized as a best practice by the World Economic Forum. The Agency aims to develop a flexible vocational education system through public-private cooperation, aligning skills development with labour market needs. Managed by a Supervisory Board of significant employer associations and public sector representatives.
The Educational and Scientific Infrastructure Development Agency (ESIDA), established in 2009, operates under the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth of Georgia. Its mission is to enhance educational and scientific infrastructure through the rehabilitation, construction, and equipping of institutions and by promoting the use of information and communication technologies in schools. The Agency also manages textbook distribution and ensures equal access to educational resources.
Local Educational Resource Centers (LERCs) operate as regional branches of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Youth, playing a crucial role in the localised implementation of national educational policies. These centers are responsible for supporting schools within their jurisdictions, providing resources for teacher training, curriculum development, and school management. LERCs ensure that schools across all regions have the necessary tools and guidance to meet national education standards.
They also provide essential services, such as organizing teacher professional development programs, offering instructional support, and facilitating community-based initiatives that aim to improve the quality of education at the local level. LERCs serve as intermediaries between the Ministry and local schools, ensuring that national reforms are effectively integrated into the school system. Additionally, they monitor school performance, assist with student services, and help address local educational challenges, such as infrastructure needs or enrollment issues. Through their work, LERCs contribute to the equitable distribution of educational resources, helping to close the gap between rural and urban schools.
Since 2023, the LEPL National Center for Educational Research has aimed to provide systematic support to educational policy and practice by offering evidence-based recommendations derived from scientific research and educational assessments. Center activities encompass a wide range of initiatives, including conducting rigorous scientific studies and large-scale national and international evaluations spanning all levels of the education system, developing electronic resources for educational research and assessment, and embracing technological advancements. Additionally, NCER is responsible for conducting international studies, such as PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS.
To support educational equality in regions densely populated by national minorities, the National Center for Teacher Professional Development (TPDC), whose primary goal is to improve teaching quality at schools, set high standards of teaching and learning, as well as to raise teachers’ status, implements the Non-Georgian Language Schools Support sub-program. Its purpose is to improve the knowledge of the national language among teachers and students at non-Georgian language schools, contribute to the professional development of local teachers, and support informal education. Within the program's framework, 143 consultant teachers are currently assigned to the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Kakheti.
LEPL Education Management Information System (EMIS), established in 2012, plays a pivotal role in transforming and improving education systems by offering data-driven insights and solutions.
EMIS’s key initiatives are built around three strategic pillars:
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Ensuring ICT Access and Developing Infrastructure: EMIS ensures reliable internet access for schools, students, and educators to support digital learning.
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Creating and Developing Information Management Systems: EMIS focuses on automating business processes in general, vocational, and higher education, enhancing education management through systems like eSchool, eVet, and eUni.
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Informational Support of Educational Processes: EMIS collects and organizes educational data electronically, enabling the creation of statistics and analytics. This data supports evidence-based decision-making for stakeholders.
The International Education Center was established in 2014 with the primary goal of developing human capital by providing the possibility for Georgian citizens to get a high-quality education at high-ranking universities abroad that aligns with international standards and supports the state's development priorities, enabling Individuals to study abroad and gain top-tier education and employees of state and budgetary organizations to participate in international qualification enhancement programs.
Upon completing their studies, scholarship recipients are required to return to Georgia and apply their knowledge in their respective fields, working for at least three years within five years of graduation.
The Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (ORO) under the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth is tasked with ensuring a safe and psychologically healthy environment for children at schools across Georgia. The ORO employs Resource officers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers.
The Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG) plays a key role in enhancing the research and educational capabilities of Georgian schools and universities. At the university level, the Foundation supports research excellence by funding innovative projects, providing grants for young scientists, and encouraging collaboration with international academic institutions. This helps universities improve their research infrastructure and align with global educational standards.
The Foundation contributes to science popularization in schools through grant competitions, educational programs, and initiatives like the International Academic Olympiads. These programs aim to engage students in scientific activities, foster talent from a young age, and encourage a stronger focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects, thereby bridging the gap between school education and higher academic research.
Youth Agency—The agency’s primary goals, at both the national and municipal levels, center around empowering young people and ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to participate fully in society. This involves creating a supportive environment that fosters youth involvement in public, political, economic, and cultural life.
In alignment with Georgia’s national youth policy, the agency takes an active role in developing, executing, and coordinating youth strategies and action plans across various implementing bodies and stakeholders. This includes designing and delivering essential youth services to meet the evolving needs of young people. A critical component of the agency’s work is setting standards and quality control mechanisms for the youth sector. This involves creating guidance documents, training modules, and regulatory frameworks that ensure consistency and quality in youth programs. Additionally, the agency promotes key competencies within the youth field by supporting non-formal education programs and establishing mechanisms to recognise the skills and experiences young people gain through these initiatives.
Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration - In accordance with Decree N476 of the President of Georgia, the school was established as a legal entity under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. The school aims to fill in the qualified staff shortage in local self-government and state entities by implementing educational and practical programs, as well as supporting the integration of representatives of national minorities who live in densely populated mountainous regions.
Additional Stakeholders in Educational Governance
The education system in Georgia benefits from the collaboration of multiple ministries, each playing a pivotal role in its development.
In addition to the primary ministries, several other key stakeholders contribute to the effective functioning and enhancement of Georgia's education system. The Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from Occupied Territories, Health, Labour and Social Affairs plays a critical role in aligning vocational education and training with labour market needs and supporting youth employment initiatives and social welfare programs. Also, it is responsible for nutrition and sanitary-hygienic regulations in the ECEC sector.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports complements these efforts by promoting the integration of arts, culture, and sports into the educational system. This ministry is tasked with creating programs that enhance students’ understanding of Georgia’s rich cultural heritage while encouraging participation in sports and physical education. Through partnerships with local schools and international organizations, it organizes cultural exchanges, artistic events, and athletic competitions, ensuring a well-rounded education for students.
The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development significantly influences the education system of Georgia through vocational education, STEM promotion, infrastructure development 9ensuring that educational facilities meet safety and operational standards), and alignment of educational goals with economic priorities. A key actor in the promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Georgia is the Georgian Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA). The agency's main aim is to promote technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and the development of digital skills. Though GITA is not a formal educational body, its activities enhance the country’s educational landscape, particularly in technology-related fields. Through its collaboration with educational institutions, funding for startups, and support for research and innovation, GITA is helping to bridge the gap between the education system and the rapidly evolving demands of the digital economy.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia collaborates with educational institutions and implements programs aimed at raising awareness and building skills related to environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural practices. The LEPL National Food Agency (NFA), under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, plays a key role in ensuring food safety in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions, such as kindergartens and preschools.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure supports municipalities in improving education infrastructure, focusing on improving school facilities, accessibility, and services that benefit the education system in municipalities and rural areas.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs operates the MIA Academy, a unique professional training institution that ensures the preparation of public service-oriented, highly qualified police staff through modern-standard training programs. The MIA Academy provides essential training programs for future police officers and qualification-raising, re-training, and promotional courses for duty police officers.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia engages in certain educational and training activities that align with its mandate to promote national security, defence awareness, and civic responsibility. The Georgian Military Institutions have a long history dating back to 1862 when the first Military School was established in Tbilisi. The MoD oversees military education and training institutions such as the National Defence Academy of Georgia. This academy provides higher education and professional military training for future officers of the Georgian Armed Forces. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in fields related to military science, leadership, and security studies, ensuring the professional development of military personnel. Currently, several schools are operating at the National Defence Academy: Bachelor School, Command and General Staff College, Junior Officer School and Language Training School. The MoD operates the Cadet’s Military Lyceum, a boarding school that conducts academic studying and military training and provides cadets with the secondary educational level according to the National and Local Educational Curriculum.
Together, these ministries, agencies, and entities contribute to a holistic and well-rounded education system in Georgia and ensure that it remains aligned with global standards.