Considering the significant number of vacancies for principals in public schools and the necessity to attract new, qualified personnel to the system, an analysis of key aspects revealed during the 2023 competition was conducted. As a result of revisiting the current regulations governing the competition, it was determined that certain changes were necessary, prompting a revision of the "Rules for conducting the public school director's selection competition" as per Order No. 25/N issued on February 24, 2011. 

To expand the scope of the director selection competition, enhance inclusivity, and streamline the process, the following decisions have been made: 

1. The certification stage will be eliminated. Instead of the previous two-stage process, which involved separate certification (testing, interview) and an additional interview to present the directorship candidate to the public school's board of trustees, the new rule will allow directorship applicants to undergo only one interview after taking a test.

2. Under the new approach, all individuals with valid certificates will be eligible to participate in the competition directly at the interview stage without needing to undergo the test. It's crucial to note that participation in the competition is free of charge. 

The eligibility criteria for directorship candidates with Georgian citizenship are as follows: 

- Possession of higher education.

- Minimum of 3 years of work experience, including at least one year of teaching experience in the field of education. 

Upon announcement of the competition, directorship candidates must electronically register and select up to three public schools where they wish to be nominated as a candidate by the commission. 

Registration for directorship candidates will commence on February 19, 2024, and conclude on February 29. 

Testing will be conducted through the education management information system in accordance with rules and conditions established by individual administrative-legal acts of the minister. 

Candidates who meet the minimum competency threshold established by the minister's administrative-legal act for testing (successful test completion) will proceed to the interview stage. 

During the interview, directorship candidates will present their strategic development vision for the school/schools they indicated during registration. Candidates holding a valid directorship certificate, as per the "Rules for conducting the public school director's selection competition" outlined in Order No. 25/N issued by the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia on February 24, 2011, are exempt from testing and will join the competition at the interview stage. 

Directorship candidates will only be nominated for election to the boards of trustees of the public schools they specified during electronic registration, as per individual administrative-legal acts of the minister. 

Prior to being elected as director, candidates must submit the following documents to the board of trustees of the public school: 

- Copy of Georgian citizenship identity card or passport.

- Photograph.

- Copy of document confirming higher education.

- Certificate of at least 3 years of work experience, including at least one year of teaching experience in the field of education.

- Medical toxicology report.

- Notice of conviction.

- Notice of conviction for committing a crime against sexual freedom and inviolability.

- Notification of right revocation.

- Any other document determined by the board of trustees of the public school.

The exam program and test samples for director applicants will be available on the website: https://directors.mes.gov.ge 

https://www.matsne.gov.ge/document/view/6103079?publication=0