Overview of the Education System
There are 2,331 schools in Georgia, with 498,900 students in public schools and 55,000 students in 246 private schools.3 General education is offered at three levels: primary (six years), basic (three years), and secondary (three years). Students normally start primary school at age 6 in the first part of a nine year compulsory education. There is a basic curriculum for each of the six primary classes. Students are taught Georgian language and literature, mathematics, history, natural sciences, arts, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), civic security, and sports. The first foreign language must be introduced no later than the third grade. Transition to the next grade is automatic under the condition of regular attendance and a positive evaluation from the teacher. Basic education (Grades 7 to 9, ages 12 to 14+) is the second stage of compulsory schooling.
The basic education program includes Georgian language, mathematics, history, geography, civic education, physics, chemistry, biology, arts, ICT, civic security, and sports. The second foreign language is introduced in the seventh grade. Once compulsory basic education is completed, students can continue on to secondary education, enter the first, second, or third levels of professional education (ISCED Level 3 vocational stream without direct access to ISCED Level 6 programs), or leave the education system.4 Secondary education covers Grades 10 through 12, and students typically enter at the age of 15. Attending secondary school is voluntary. The Constitution guarantees access free of charge to primary, basic, and secondary education.