2019-03-27
You can always rest assured that the country's future is in your hands, Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze addressed the youth during today's meeting at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University.
The Head of Government informed the students and upper secondary schoolchildren about the details of the educational reform, and answered their questions.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for the budget to reflect the priority of education and the importance of human capital development in the 21st century.
"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 why are facing such challenges today. Education and economy have drifted apart. Smaller investments would be made into this field, the lowest salaries were issued, while diploma issuance, and not the process of learning, would be prioritized. Our task is to make sure that education enjoys 11% of GDP. 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. All 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," Mamuka Bakhtadze said.
Enhanced financing, the Prime Minister said, will be used in five directions: preschool education, secondary education, higher education, vocational education, and science. According to the Head of Government, this reform is designed to ensure the development of robust human capital to enable the country to overcome all challenges.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to cement this initiative at the legislative level to obligate every subsequent Government to spend at least fourth of its budget on education as a key precondition for successful reforming.
"Last year, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first republic. One of the first law adopted by the first republic involved education. Within two years, they succeeded in opening 1,200 schools in Georgia. And our great ancestors believed education to be the way to transform Georgia into a successful, genuinely European state. I believe that is the most obvious answer. Consequently, this is an idea of national importance that will help us overcome every challenge. In education lies the solution, and in education lie freedom, freedom from occupation, and freedom from poverty. We are proud of our achievements in terms of ease of doing business in that we hold 6th position. To me, however, what constitutes true success is our country's leadership in the human capital index. I am convinced that we will succeed. That, however, takes consolidation, oneness of mind, and commitment to national interests. 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 to be fully aware that the country's future is in their hands," the Prime Minister addressed the youth.
The Q/A format meeting at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University was attended by 150 young students.
Prime Minister's Press Office