Under the conditions of the increased budget, Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Tamar Sanikidze made extensive presentation for the cabinet members, MPs, representatives of educational, governmental and non-governmental organizations and invited guests regarding the implemented projects aimed to develop education and science. The Minister spoke in details about the steps taken for ensuring accessible and quality education in the field of general as well as vocational, higher education and in science.

It is important that according to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016", the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia will get budget allocations increased by 55.6% compared to 2012 year.

General education

• According to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations directed towards general education will be increased by 45.8% compared to 2012 year;
• Access to the general education has been increased;
• Up to 500 000 pupils will get free textbooks and notebooks;
• Over 60 000 pupils of 1150 public school are provided with transportation. As a result, attendance indicator exceeds 95%;
• Persons in the penal institutions receive general education;
• 106 projects for encouragement of school initiatives have been funded; number of the funded projects will be increased by the end of year.
• At all levels of education inclusive education is developing. 966 special teachers are serving approximately 5000 pupils requiring special educational needs. Ilia State University started a master's program of special teacher, and in 35 public schools adapted environment has been designed. In Tbilisi and in the regions integrated classes have been launched, for the first time Braille textbooks were printed. For the purpose of developing sign language, methodology and manuals have been created.  As for the children suffering from leukemia, Iashvili clinic has started a special class;
• Internet access program for schools has been successfully completed;
• School resource officers system has been radically reformed. Police Service implemented the reform. Set up Psychological centers have been set up, on the basis of school resource officers service professional orientation and career planning program;
• Up to 300 schools have been equipped with doctor’s cabinet, which process actively goes on;
• In 2013-2015 years, different types of rehabilitation works were done for 1069 schools. 10 schools have been completed, 8 new schools are in the process of construction and 20 more schools are being planned, out of which construction for 6 schools by the end of the year. In the framework of the second compact of USA Millennium Challenge Corporation, rehabilitation of 100 public schools has been planned. Besides, there are ongoing processes of school rehabilitation in villages adjacent to demarcation line of the occupied territories. 18 boundary schools have been already renovated and it is planned to rehabilitate 12 more schools. Equipment of the schools has been also actively put in motion. In 2013-2015 years, up to 2000 schools were provided with school equipment and furniture;
• Scheme has been activated for start teaching activity, professional development and career advancement.  In 2013, teachers’ basic salary was increased by 70 GEL, the following an increase has been implemented within professional development scheme. In 2015-2016 years, the basic salary will be increased in two stages.  In addition, the teachers’ payment will be increasing in different stages of their careers. Consequently, the teachers’ basic salary, without bonus fees, by 2016 year will have increase of 70%. In parallel with increase of basic salaries and bonus fees, for the 2016-2017 academic year, teacher’s average salary will be higher than average salary indicator in Georgia.

As a result of launched programs, households’ expanses for general education has been decreased by 60%, class attendance rate has been increased by 95% and teaching and learning outcomes have been improved by 20 %.

Professional education

• According to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations directed towards general education will be increased by 83.0% compared to 2012 year;
• The government has been fully funding professional education since 2013 – in 2013-2015 years, up to 27 000 students enjoyed state funding;
• Implementation of the modular educational programs is ongoing. 900 modules have been developed, 54 programs have been launched.  With the employers’ participation, more than 200 professional standards have been updated. According to the, colleges have been provided and re-branded with the necessary materials and equipment;
• Within the framework of the project “Millennium Challenge Corporation-Georgia”, professional development programs in fields of engineering, technology, agriculture and tourism;
• The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model is being implemented in the colleges. In the current year, two state colleges (Poti, Kutaisi) gained ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certificates;
• Work is underway to introduce the elements of dual teaching;
•  2013 year marked introduction of inclusive education. The environment has been adapted with universal design, education, 300 pupils requiring special educational needs are getting education, various services are operating (sign language interpreters, support staff, inclusive education specialists), adapted learning materials have been developed; 
•  All colleges have been equipped and rehabilitated. 17 colleagues are currently undergoing adaptation with universal design. For development of the agrarian direction, in the three regions construction of breeding farm is in the process and so forth.
•  3 new colleges will be opened; student dormitories are also under construction.

Higher education

• According to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations directed towards higher education will be increased by 41.0% compared to the same indicator of 2012 year.
• The state performs direct funding for 21 program field on bachelor level;
• Number of the students funded in the framework of social programs has been tripled. 3,5 time have been increased the spent amount on these programs;
• Number of the students sponsored under the different programs has been increased and the spent amounts. Almost half of total number of the acting students is getting funded;
• Number of the scholarship students has been almost tripled;
• Standards for the authorization-accreditation will be changed;
• National Center For Educational Quality has become affiliated member of  The European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education – ENQA;
• The European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning project has been developed;
• Preparation works are underway of the “Euro student”;
• With a number of the obtained scholarships in the framework of the project “Erasmus+”, Georgia was ranked # 7 among 74 countries;
• Under the auspices of Millennium Challenge Corporation second compact, from September 2015, the San Diego University programs have been launched in three Georgian State Universities. For the first time, both Georgian and American University diplomas are issued in Georgia.
• 16.1 millions Have been spent on infrastructure development of the state higher education institutions.

Development of the science

• According to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations directed towards facilitation of science and scientific research will be increased by 82.0% compared to the same indicator of 2012 year;
• Based on the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations appointed for scientific research institutions will be increased by 164.0% compared to the same indicator of 2012 year;
• According to the draft law "On the State Budget of Georgia for 2016”, allocations appointed for the Legal Entity - Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation will be increased by 144.0% compared to the same indicator of 2012 year;
• A package of legislative initiatives aimed at several important directions has been formulated;
• Funding of scientific-research institutions and salaries of researcher-staff have been increased;
• Funding of the doctorates - maximum grant size 21 00 GEL;
• State scientific grant programs are operating for seasonal schools;
• Electronic databases of ELSEVIER BV have become available
•  2 Georgian scientific magazines have been inserted in the database of ELSEVIER BV’s digital magazines;
• Rehabilitation of scientific-research institutions has been in progress;
•  „International Week of  Science and Innovations “ has been opened  for the first time in Georgia and in the Caucasus;
• Since 2013, cooperation has been implemented with scientific and educational international organizations such as: CERN, DUBNA, JUILICH CENTER, CNR, CNRS, STCU, ISTC, CRDF-Global, ELSEVIER BV;
• Negotiations have been completed with European Union for cooperation in “Horizon 2020” with status of associated member, which means physical and judicial persons in Georgia will enjoy the same rights, privileges and conditions, thus enjoy the representatives of EU member states and the states associated with “Horizon 2020” program.