New Minister of Education: Focus on School and Higher Education
Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirirkashvili, appointed Alexander Jejelava, the chairman of the non-profit organization Management Academy, to the post of Minister of Education and Science on Thursday, June 2. The new minister has already managed to identify priority directions for the Ministry and has held his first meetings.
The day after taking on his new position, Minister Jejelava met with applicants of the San Diego State University in Tbilisi’s Tech Park where the Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Academy course was being held. “I believe that the STEM program should be a key to our educational reform, as Georgia has historically been strong in areas such as mathematics, engineering and technology. The fact that today we are meeting in Tech Park- a concept unique to Georgia- once again proves that,” said the Minister.
He went on to emphasize that higher education is a priority in the educational reform which is currently being carried out in Georgia. In turn, it is one of the fundamental areas for the State’s four-point reform plan, which also focuses on tax administration, governance and infrastructure reforms.
The new minister expressed his willingness to meet with the students of Tbilisi State University, who periodically conduct protests as they push for educational reform.
“The interests of all parties involved in the ongoing processes of the university are constructive and positive. We all want the university to become more powerful and transparent. This problem can be solved, and we will make sure it is. I’m ready to meet with the students, if necessary, to that end,” Jejelava said.
The Minister indicated that the country has the potential to become a regional leader in quality education. “We should try to develop the education system in all directions so that it meets the needs of Georgian society and young people, and as such makes make it exemplary," he said.
Jejelava mentioned that besides higher education, it is important to solve problems within the school system, particularly the development of teachers and the use of modern technology in the learning process.
Jejelava’s appointment is the first change in the cabinet by Prime Minister Kvirikashvili since he came to power last December. Jejelava himself says he is satisfied with the work of the Ministry’s employees and does not plan to make any staff changes.
“Everyone needs professionals in a team and we want only highly-qualified employees at the Ministry [of Science and Education]. I am pleased to say that we do have such good staff,” said the Minister.
Alexander Jejelava is known as a teacher, academic trainer and expert in banking, the public sector, higher education and IT in TBC Bank, UGT, state institutions as well as in foreign companies.
Eka Karsaulidze