Mikheil Chkhenkeli discussed the details of the implementation of the 100 million USD education system project with World Bank representatives
Mikheil Chkhenkeli, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, hosted Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, along with other Bank representatives: Harry Patrinos, Practice Manager for Global Education; Lire Ersado, Program Leader for Human Development for the South Caucasus, Europe and Central Asia; Soren Nellemann, Education Program Leader; and Nino Kutateladze, Senior Education Specialist. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the details of implementing a World Bank project worth $102.7 million for the development of Georgia's education system.
During the meeting, Mikheil Chkhenkeli thanked the World Bank representatives for their unprecedented support of Georgia's education system and for all implemented and ongoing projects. According to the Minister, a coordination group will be established for the sustainable development of the new six-year $102.7 million project, which will direct funding to overcome the challenges facing Georgia's education sector. Such challenges exist at all levels of education, both in terms of infrastructure and quality assurance. Mikheil Chkhenkeli emphasized that the project directly concerns students of pre-school and general education institutions, university students, school teachers, and administrative staff, and will contribute to the creation of a favorable learning environment for them.
In addition, the Minister spoke about the ongoing reform in higher education, specifically addressing the new results-oriented funding model, the refinement of which is actively underway with the involvement of educational and scientific institutions.
For his part, Sebastian Molineus noted that it is important for the project implementation process to proceed in a coordinated manner, with the involvement of the Government as well as the relevant responsible officials of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia. According to him, the World Bank will contribute to raising the quality of education in Georgia through the development of human capital.
It is noteworthy that on March 5, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia for coordinated work with donors, a conference will be held dedicated to the World Bank-supported program "Innovation, Inclusion and Quality." This program integrates five main directions: promoting pre-school education and increasing access to it; improving the quality of teaching; improving the higher education funding model; improving communication among stakeholders in the system; and improving project management, monitoring, and evaluation systems.
