Georgian Teachers to See Long Awaited Salary Raise

The preparatory phase of the reform plan of the Education System presented by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Batiashvili, in early September has been completed. The Ministry will now move into the action phase of the plan, Batiashvili announced yesterday. The education reform plan includes all areas of the education system.

Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Irina Abuladze met with Tbilisi public school teachers and introduced to them the Ministry's vision for general education, future plans, and new initiatives to be pursued within the reforms. The aim is to further develop schools and raise motivation for pupils and teachers.

Discussions between Abuladze and teachers focused on changes introduced in the National Curriculum, the concept of the school's new model and the salary increase policy. Abuladze explained that many innovations are being introduced to increase the quality of education. Schools will become more interesting and modern and strive to develop critical and free thinking skills in students.

The reform introduces a new curriculum, newed textbooks and other educational resources, a new complex and multifaceted teaching model, new approaches to lesson planning, and more analysis of how to effectively use technologies and innovations in schools. One of the most important issues that Abuladze raised was salary increases for teachers, school directors and administration staff.

From 2019-2021, salaries will increase in steps. By 2022, the average teacher's salary will reach 1800 GEL, and higher level teachers will received an average of 2000 GEL. Funds from the 2019 state budget have already been allocated.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport