Georgia’s PM announces launch of vocational education reform

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, has unveiled a plan of vocational education reform, stressing that the plan would provide an ‘absolutely different learning model’ in the country.

The PM said the model would be based on cooperation between the public and private sectors that will enable students to receive practical experiences in the process of studying.

“It is very important that students have a chance to communicate and establish a relationship with his/her future employer. After the students complete their studies they will decide whether or not to continue cooperation with the employer, to start his/her own business or to advance to further education,” Kvirikashvili said at Georgia’s newly established Technology Park.

“The students will have the choice, as the state will create conditions for them in all three directions,” the PM added.

Kvirikashvili continued that the major drawback for the Georgian economy was the lack of enough qualified staff in various directions.

“That’s why we initiated this vocational education reform, in order to produce more professionals based on the market demand,” Kvirikashvili said.

The PM stressed successful implementation of the reform would be a serious, positive push for the country's economy.

Kvirikashvili also said a special financial institute would be established that would support start-up ideas and beneficial youth initiatives without following current bank procedures.

As it was said, the institute will start functioning in a month's time.

Georgia really requires vocational education reform, as Georgia’s whole education system needs systemic changes.

Successive Georgian Governments started reforms in the education system, but most of their reform plans had no real plans and did not provide vital changes based on reasonably elaborated plans.

The initiative is welcome, as Georgia needs high quality specialists in various fields, but competent specialists also require appropriate working places with relevant salaries.

Consequently, the Government should actively work in different directions to provide real changes.