By Nino Khatisashvili
Bachelor’s Student in Political Science at Tbilisi State University
October 2025 • 4-Minute Read

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The Georgian government has introduced a proposal to reform the country’s education system. The plan would reduce general education from twelve to eleven years and restructure higher education into a three-year bachelor’s program followed by a one-year master’s degree. It also includes the concept of “one city – one faculty,” which would limit each public university to one faculty per city. Officials describe the reform as an effort to modernize the education system, improve efficiency, and align learning outcomes with labor-market needs (Radio Tavisupleba, 2025).

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Georgian Dream (GD) MP Guram Macharashvili stated that the reform is designed to “lay the foundation for fundamental education” and support a smoother transition from school to university. They argued that the current twelve-year system keeps students in education longer than necessary and that shortening its duration would save public funds while enabling earlier entry into the workforce. According to the government, the reform represents a step toward a more practical and modern educational structure (1TV Georgia, 2025; Commersant, 2025).

Some education experts and academics have raised concerns about the potential implications of these changes. They note that most countries in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) follow the Bologna Process framework, which typically includes twelve years of pre-university study. According to education researcher Simon Janashia, reducing general education to eleven years could make Georgian qualifications less compatible with European admission standards (Radio Tavisupleba, 2025).

Experts have also commented on the proposed restructuring of higher education. The suggested three-plus-one university model differs from the Bologna standard of a three-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s program. Some scholars argue that a one-year master’s degree may not provide sufficient time for research or advanced coursework, potentially affecting the academic depth of graduate programs. The “one city – one faculty” concept has also prompted debate, with university representatives suggesting that it could lead to program relocations and impact institutional autonomy (Batumelebi, 2025).

The government maintains that the reform is consistent with international experience and aims to strengthen educational quality and relevance. However, representatives from Georgia’s academic community have expressed concern that the reform process lacked transparent consultation. On October 20, 2025, more than 100 professors and lecturers signed a joint statement arguing that the proposal could conflict with Article 27 of the Georgian Constitution, which guarantees university autonomy. The statement also warned that deviation from the Bologna Process could affect Georgia’s standing in the European Higher Education Area (Batumelebi, 2025).

Commentators note that the reform debate reflects broader questions about education policy and governance in Georgia. While the government emphasizes efficiency and national priorities, some analysts view the changes as part of a trend toward stronger state coordination of public institutions (Commersant, 2025).

Attention has also been drawn to the composition of the reform commission. According to BM.GE (2025), several commission members are affiliated with government institutions, and few have extensive publication records in international academic databases. Observers have therefore called for additional input from experienced educators and researchers to ensure the reform is evidence-based and aligned with global standards.

In essence, the proposed reform has generated significant public discussion. Supporters see it as an opportunity to modernize education and strengthen links to the labor market, while critics warn that it could challenge Georgia’s European educational compatibility. The government has stated that it intends to continue consultations with academic institutions as the process moves forward.

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Bibliography
1TV Georgia. (2025, October 9). Guram Macharashvili: Premieris daanonsrebuli ganatlebis reforma sataves daudebs im dzireul ganatlebas….[The announced education reform will lay the foundation of fundamental education]. https://1tv.ge/news/

Batumelebi. (2025, October 14). Ekspertebi amboben, rom 11-cliani ganatleba gaashorebs Sakartvelos Evropa-s [Experts say the 11-year education will distance Georgia from Europe].

https://batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/education/591642/?amp=1
BM.GE. (2025, October 10). Vin shedis komisiashi, romelmats umaghlesi ganatlebis reforma moamzada [Who sits in the commission that prepared the higher-education reform]. https://bm.ge/news/vin-shedis-komisiashi-romelmats-umaghlesi-ganatlebis-reforma-moamzada

Commersant. (2025, October 12). Ra aris “Otsnebis” ganatlebis reformis mizani da mosalodneli shedegebi – Beka Kobakhidzis mosazreba [What is the purpose of Georgian Dream’s education reform – Beka Kobakhidze’s view]. https://commersant.ge/news/society/ra-aris-otsnebis-ganatlebis-reformis-mizani-da-mosalodneli-shedegebi-beqa-kobakhidzis-mosazreba
Dumbadze, L. (2025, October 20). “This change is evil” – What parents say about the “Dream” education reform.

https://batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/education/591642/?amp=1
Radio Tavisupleba. (2025, October 11). Kartulma “Otsnebam” ganatlebis reforma daaanonsa [Georgian Dream announces education reform]. https://www.radiotavisupleba.ge/amp/