The World Bank to Allocate 90 Million Euros for the Education System

A financial agreement was signed between the Government of Georgia and the World Bank, under which the World Bank will allocate 90 million euros for the Georgian education system. The agreement for the implementation of the "Innovation, Inclusive Education and Quality" project worth 90 million euros was signed by Mercy Tembon, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, and Ivane Machavariani, Minister of Finance of Georgia. The project will contribute to human capital development by increasing access to preschool education, ensuring quality education, and providing a favorable learning environment.

 "As you know, the World Bank has been one of our Ministry's most important partners from the very first day the education reform was launched. From the very beginning, we have actively cooperated with World Bank experts and representatives of their mission. Today is a momentous day, as an agreement has been signed which implies investing 90 million euros in the education system. Specifically, the main resource will be spent on solving infrastructural problems and rehabilitating schools. As you know, today schools need renovation and resolution of infrastructural challenges. In addition, this resource will also be used for other areas of education, including higher and preschool education. The current week has been quite fruitful for us. You know that 4 days ago we also signed an agreement with the German side, according to which 22 million will be spent on the development of the vocational education sector. All of this means that the comprehensive education reform is supported by major international organizations. Every subsequent step of the reform will be implemented precisely in cooperation with them," – stated Mikheil Batiashvili.

The project has five main objectives:

• Promoting preschool education and increasing access to it;
• Improving the quality of teaching;
• Improving higher education financing parameters;
• Improving communication among stakeholders in the system;
• Improving project management, monitoring, and evaluation systems.

The World Bank believes that these changes represent a significant milestone in Georgia's education reform, which will help prepare the country for the labor market and economy of the 21st century.

"Georgia continues to invest in its citizens. The aim of this project is to support Georgia in attracting investments in human capital and raising innovation and productivity in a competitive global economy. By building a solid foundation and strengthening human capital, the project will expand Georgia's capacity to achieve the well-being of every citizen,"  noted Mercy Tembon, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus.

Within the framework of this project, focus will be placed on introducing inclusive principles in pedagogy and the learning process, as well as on quality and innovation in preschool, secondary, and higher educational institutions. The direct beneficiaries of the project include students of both public and private preschool educational institutions, higher education students, school teachers, and administrative staff.

The project will ensure support for vulnerable groups of the population (students from rural and high-mountainous regions with low socio-economic status), ethnic minorities, and students with special educational needs, in accordance with the principles of gender equality. The project will also assist higher education students through updated academic programs.

The project is fully aligned with the World Bank's Partnership Framework with Georgia for 2019-2022 and supports the Government of Georgia in implementing the 2018-2023 education reform.