Early and Preschool Upbringing and Educational System
Georgia's Early and Preschool Educational System is structured to support children from birth until they enter primary school. It is regulated by the Law on Early and Preschool Education. The system is divided into two main components:
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Early Education: Provides services for children under age two and their families, including educational support, childcare, healthcare, and early intervention.
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Preschool Education: Covers children aged 2 to school entry, focusing on comprehensive development. It includes the mandatory School Readiness Program, which prepares children for primary school according to state education standards. School Readiness Program: A key part of preschool education is to ensure that children meet specific developmental milestones and are prepared for primary education.
Early and Preschool education is voluntary; therefore, it is universal and accessible for all. Public institutions are obliged to offer free education and catering services. Day duration for public institutions is defined as 9 hours a day with 3 times catering. And 3 hours for school readiness program for both the public and private sectors.
General Education
In Georgia, the educational system is structured to provide a comprehensive and progressive learning experience through its general education framework, which spans 12 years and is divided into three levels. This framework ensures that students receive a well-rounded education designed to prepare them for further academic or vocational pursuits, with each level building upon the previous one and focusing on specific developmental and educational milestones.
Full General Education Structure
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Primary Education (Grades I-VI): The primary level of general education in Georgia lasts six years and is compulsory. It focuses on building fundamental skills in core subjects such as literacy, numeracy, basic sciences, and social development. This stage aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills necessary for their academic progression, fostering critical thinking and foundational learning for more complex subjects in later stages.
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Basic Education (Grades VII-X): The basic education stage lasts four years following primary education. Basic education is also mandatory and provides students with a deep understanding of academic disciplines. At the end of Grade X, students receive a Basic General Education Certificate, which qualifies them to proceed to Secondary Education or vocational training.
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Secondary Education (Grades XI-XII): Secondary education is the final stage of general education, spanning two years. This stage allows students to select elective subjects and further specialise in areas of interest that align with their future academic or vocational goals. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for higher education or vocational programs, with a strong emphasis on advanced academic skills. Upon completion of this stage, students are awarded the Full General Education Certificate, which is required to enter universities or other post-secondary education.
LEPL Office of Resource Officers of Educational Institutions (ORO) under the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth was set up to ensure a safe and psychologically healthy environment for children at schools across Georgia. The ORO employs Resource officers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers.
Teachers, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and school resource officers are among the public sector professionals who work most closely with students and are frequently aware of violations of children's rights. According to Georgian law, these professionals are required to report any suspected violence to the appropriate authorities.
For the first time in the educational institutions of Georgia, in 2021, the Social Work component was introduced in educational institutions in accordance with the “Law on Social Work of Georgia” adopted by the Parliament of Georgia in 2018.
The social work model was developed with local and European experts. More than 70 social workers have been hired by the Office of Resource Officers of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and deployed to 71 public schools. Previously, social work was carried out as needed within the framework of intervention, and now, social workers perform their functions and duties directly in schools.
Vocational Education
The vocational education system in Georgia is designed to support economic development, promote social inclusion, and facilitate lifelong learning while aligning with European educational standards. Defined by the Georgian Law on Vocational Education, the system encompasses various programs aimed at equipping individuals with specific skills and qualifications that meet the needs of both the national and European labour markets.
Vocational Education Structure
In Georgia, vocational education is structured into several key components:
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Vocational Education Programs: These programs are categorized into basic, secondary, and higher levels, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
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Basic Vocational Education (3rd level): Targets individuals who have completed basic general education and provides foundational vocational skills.
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Secondary Vocational Education (4th level): Designed for those with complete general education or equivalent, offering more advanced vocational skills.
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Higher Vocational Education (5th level): Aimed at individuals with complete general education, providing high-level vocational training and specialization.
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Vocational Training Programs: These programs focus on preparing individuals for specific tasks and duties within a profession, corresponding to various levels of the NQF, including levels 2 through 5.
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Vocational Retraining Programs: Target existing professionals seeking to enhance or update their competencies with learning outcomes relevant to levels 2 through 5 of the NQF.
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Vocational educational institutions, including colleges, are authorized to deliver vocational educational programs, vocational training, and retraining programs. Authorization ensures that institutions meet the necessary standards to issue state-recognized educational documents. Authorization procedures are managed by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE). Higher and general educational institutions can offer vocational programs without additional institutional authorization, provided they adhere to relevant regulations. The decision regarding obtaining the right to implement vocational education programs by General or Higher Education Institutions is made by the Authorization Council of Vocational Education Institutions.
Higher Education
The higher education system in Georgia is designed to promote cultural values, personal development, and scientific advancement while aligning with global standards. Its core goals include fostering democratic ideals and humanism, catering to individual educational and professional needs, enhancing personal and creative skills, and ensuring the competitiveness of graduates in both local and international labour markets. Additionally, the system aims to develop scientific research capabilities, support the mobility of students and academic staff, and offer high-quality education that meets societal and student needs.
Higher education in Georgia is structured into three distinct stages:
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Bachelor’s Program: The undergraduate stage requires the completion of at least 240 ECTS credits. Admission is open to individuals holding a state certificate of full general education or equivalent. Some bachelor programs may include teacher training components. However, higher education institutions can also offer Bachelor’s programs with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits under specific regulations, provided they meet the rigorous standards set by the Ministry of Education and Science.
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Master’s Program: A typical Master’s program requires a minimum of 120 ECTS credits for completion, although some specialized programs may have different credit structures (no less than 60 credits). These programs are designed to deepen the theoretical and practical knowledge that students have acquired during their Bachelor’s studies. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent to enroll in these programs. The master’s program is designed to deepen specialized knowledge and skills.
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Doctoral Program: The doctoral stage lasts at least three years and includes up to 60 ECTS credits. Admission requires a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification. The program focuses on advanced research and development within a specific field.
Besides bachelor's, master's and doctoral educational programmes, higher education institutions also implement short-cycle and one-level educational programmes.
Higher education institutions in Georgia are classified into two main categories: universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions established by law. Universities are authorized to offer all three cycles of higher education—Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs—and are required to engage in scientific research. To conduct research activities within their Master’s and Doctoral programs, universities must either have the appropriate research infrastructure or establish formal agreements with research institutions to run joint higher education programs. Conversely, colleges are higher education institutions that focus exclusively on offering Bachelor’s degree programs. All institutions must undergo an authorization process managed by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) to ensure they meet national standards and are authorized to issue state-recognized diplomas, which are officially acknowledged. Higher education institutions consider the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) guidelines and principles when designing educational programs.