The presentation covered all levels of education. The Minister emphasized some important innovations: Starting next year, the new National Curriculum and textbooks (the price of each book will be 10 GEL) will be introduced in grades 7 through 12; learning of IT technologies, Exact and Natural sciences will be reinforced; in the scope of the program “Einstein”, schools will be provided with new laboratory equipment and smart boards.

1,500 English Language Volunteer teachers will arrive as a part of the program “Teach and Learn with Georgia”; 300 English Language teachers will teach in the schools of Kvemo Kartli, Sametskhe-Javakheti and other mountainous regions of Georgia; the project “Georgian Language for Future Successes” will continue to provide easier access to education for ethnic minorities in Georgia.  

The process of Teacher’s Certification will continue and certified teachers will receive higher salaries; development of inclusive education will also continue; the Office of Resource Officers will widen its activities and will become a member of the International Association of Resource Officers.

The Ministry of Education and Science will continue financing the study of Georgian students at different universities around the world;  the program “Summer Jobs for Students” will be implemented, which envisages employment of 25,000 students.  

40 million GEL will be allocated in  the budget of 2012 fiscal year to further upgrade school  infrastructure; 20 new schools will be built and equipped with 100,000 desks, 5,000 boards and 25,000 computers.

In 2012, Teacher’s Houses will be built in Kutaisi, Batumi and Zugdidi; three Vocational colleges will be constructed in Tbilisi, Ozurgeti and Kobuleti; two Informational Centers (Telavi and Zugdidi); an Examination Center and the Sony International Community College (Tbilisi) will be also built. Construction of the new Technical University will begin in Batumi.

The Government of Georgia will continue to support the development of higher education and fields of science. In the budget of 2012, 37 million GEL will be allocated for conducting the scientific research.

These were the main topics presented by the Minister at the meeting with Media representatives.