Working meeting to determine school starting age
06.02.2014
Concluding meeting on the changes in schooling age was held at the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.

Deputy Minister Lia Gigauri and other representatives of the Ministry met with non-governmental and international organizations, active citizens, education experts and psychologists.

Presentations were made by international and local organizations on the study outcomes in this direction:

  • Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), 2011.
  • Problems of teaching children of age five, 2012. TPDC. Institute of Social Studies and Analysis.
  • Preparedness for schooling, 2011. National Examinations and Assessment Center. (UNICEF).
  • Findings of studies conducted in various focus groups.

In compliance with the recommendations and the Law on General Education, the age of six has been set appropriate for starting schooling. School year 2014-2015 has been defined a transition period .The children who reach the age of six in the period till December 31, 2014 are considered to be of appropriate age for schooling. The children who will be six years old before the beginning of a school year will be considered to be fit for starting school from the school year 2015-2016 and onwards.

Recommendations regarding legislative amendments have also been prepared.