Introduction of the General Education Component in Vocational Education Begins

In the spring of this current year, for the first time, the vocational education system will admit students who, in parallel with learning a profession, will also be offered general education.

At the Kobuleti College "New Wave", Tamar Kitiashvili, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, met with future teachers selected within the framework of the integrated program and representatives of local self-government, and spoke about the goals and opportunities of the new program.

Over the past 15 years, after completing compulsory basic education (9 grades), adolescents had two choices – to continue their studies at the secondary level or in the direction of vocational education. Within the framework of the new program, an opportunity is created for students with basic education to acquire vocational and general education in an integrated manner. The duration of such programs will be 3 years, and graduates will receive diplomas equivalent to a full general education certificate, and if they wish, they will continue their studies at the higher education level.

Six vocational colleges across Georgia will begin implementing integrated programs within the framework of the spring 2020 admission, among which is the Kobuleti College "New Wave".

The Ministry of Education, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, is completing the preparatory phase necessary for the introduction of the initiative, which has been ongoing since 2016 and includes the training of teachers selected for teaching integrated programs as part of its process. The first training was held at the Kobuleti College "New Wave".

In February and March, more than 100 candidates will undergo multi-stage training. In order to increase the scale of integrated programs, further college support measures are planned.