“Georgian Dream’s” education reform means “more control, less education,” – said Levan Shatberashvili, a member of “Freedom Square,” during his appearance on PalitraNews’ program “Day’s Newsroom,” assessing the announced education reform.
He explained that, in addition to disconnecting Georgia from the so-called Bologna Process—which over the past 20 years allowed Georgian students to continue their studies at Europe’s leading universities—the abolition of the 12th grade aims to neutralize schools from all political activity, since a 12th grader, being of legal age, can significantly influence their peers.
“If we want to sum up this entire education reform initiative in two words, it’s ‘more control, less education.’ This is evident at every stage, whether in school or at university. The reduction of grades is very harmful. First, it undermines participation in the Bologna Process, which was one of the best achievements for Georgia over the past 20 years, as it allowed Georgian students to continue their studies directly at Europe’s top universities.
The next step is to neutralize schools from all political activity. About 50,000 12th graders are adults. An adult can be politically active and can influence not only their classmates but also others they interact with. This reform seriously undermines that. Its goal is not only to cut us off from Europe but also to erase the school’s institutional purpose, which includes preparing students for active citizenship. Instead of improving schools and raising education standards in upper grades, we are lowering them and cutting a year.
Additionally, when a student goes abroad to study and stays there, it’s not just because of this policy, but because after receiving an education abroad, they can secure good, high-paying jobs in that country.
Regarding the one-year reduction, the financial factor plays a major role. Less time spent in studies means less state expenditure for both master’s and bachelor’s levels. Whether such savings benefit students is another question, and I don’t think it will.
As for universities, the reform is expected to lead to the purging of professors and academic staff. With the principle of ‘one faculty—one city,’ we should anticipate a cleansing of university staff. This won’t only affect politically active people; even those who are not politically engaged may be forced to leave their academic careers,” Shatberashvili stated.
Levan Shatberashvili: “Georgian Dream’s” education reform means “more control, less education”
