PM: Georgia's Future Is in Hands of Students

Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that the future of the country depends on the youth and especially students.

The PM made the statement at the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, Ajara region, western Georgia.

“We need you to believe that the future is in your hands, the hands of our youth. As Head of Government, my main task for Georgian youth is that they be fully aware that the country's future is in their hands," Bakhtadze told the gathered students.

During the meeting, the PM informed the students and upper secondary schoolchildren about the educational reform and answered their questions. According to him, education and development of human capital are one of the main priorities for the government.

“Unless education enjoys at least 10-11% in the country's economy, or ideally 12%, the state will not be able to build human capital or maintain it at a high level. For us, these numbers are very low, which is one of the main reasons we are facing such challenges today,” he said.

Bakhtadze noted that the main goal is to make sure that education enjoys 11% of Gross Domestic Product.

“To this end, we as the state must spend 6% on education. That will enable the private sector to invest, which will ultimately yield high digits. This means that we must channel 25% of our budget into education. Yes, this is the right way, and it means that we must ensure 2.5 times the current investments in education," he explained.

The PM also talked about the main five directions of the new education reform: preschool education, secondary education, higher education, vocational education, and science. He added the reform is designed to ensure the development of robust human capital to enable the country to overcome all challenges.

By Thea Morrison