Teachers' salaries in Georgia to increase from September

From September 2019, all teachers with the status of the Senior, Leading or Mentor teachers will see their salaries increased by at least GEL 150.

The statement was made by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Mikheil Batiashvili at the briefing on Monday.

He added the salary increase will also concern resource centers, school directors and administration staff.

The minister explained that within the framework of the Education Complex Reform, the Ministry of Education launches the next stage of changes in general education to increase the quality of teaching in schools.

The goal of the reform is to create an educational environment that enables students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to face XXI century challenges.

“It is necessary to have highly trained, motivated, knowledgeable, and strong teachers who have a decent payment,” he said, adding a gradual increase of wages will go on every year and by 2022 the average salary of the teacher will be at least 1,500 GEL.

According to Batiashvili, practicing teachers who will confirm the minimum competency in the summer of 2019 and raise their status, will also receive increased payments from September 2019 from the new academic year.

Besides, in case the teacher expresses a wish, the state will help teachers to develop their skills through the relevant training programs and, after that, will allow them to prove the minimum competence and status in the autumn of 2019.

Furthermore, the elderly teachers who have no desire to confirm the minimum competency or to raise their status will receive a one-time monetary reward - two years total salary – in case they retire.

“Also, the health insurance package will be maintained throughout life for the teachers who decide to go on pension,” the minister added.

As Mikheil Batiashvili stated at the briefing, all the practicing teachers who fail to confirm the minimum competency and cannot raise their status by the end of the year 2019 will be able to continue their professional activities following the school needs - by keeping the salary based on a temporary agreement.

According to the Ministry of Education, relevant legislative and budgetary changes will be implemented regarding the innovations mentioned above.