Education Minister: Salaries of Teachers to Increase by GEL 150

Georgia’s Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Mikheil Batiashvili says the salaries of all Senior, Leading or Mentor status teachers will increase by at least GEL 150 from September 2019.

The Minister said that school directors, resource center and administration staff will also see their salaries increased.

Batiashvili said the changes are being carried out within the frames of the second stage of the Complex Education reform that aims at advancing education quality in the country.

He added that a gradual increase in wages will continue in the next years and by 2022, the average salary of teachers will be at least 1,500 GEL.

Batiashvili explained that practicing teachers who confirm the minimum competency in the summer of 2019 and raise their status will also receive increased payments from September 2019 for the new academic year.

If teachers fail to prove their minimum competency and cannot raise their status by the end of 2019, they will be able to continue their professional activities in accordance with the school needs - by keeping the salary on the basis of a temporary agreement.

The Minister also announced that teachers of pension age will get two-year's full salary and lifetime health insurance when they retire.

By Thea Morrison