From February 15, the educational process in three big cities of: : Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Rustavi will continue in classrooms. This signifies the return of students to classrooms throughout the country.

Owing to the decision of the Interagency Coordinating Council, it will be necessary for students of V-XII grades to wear a face mask. Further detailed instructions will be sent to the schools, who will delegate the information to the parents. The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Chkhenkeli spoke about the necessary adjustments at a briefing held at the Government Administration.

Mikheil Chkhenkeli: “As you may have heard from February 15 onwards, the educational process will be fully restored in classrooms. Accordingly, we have decided that the use of facemasks must be compulsory for all students above the 5^th grade. As for other detailed instructions, the news will be distributed to schools today. I would like to reassure out public, that every measure is taken to maintain healthy dynamic from the epidemiological point of view. We have reached a favorable condition, but this must be strictly maintained.

There is nothing more important, than the health of our children and teachers. That is precisely why, all schools will operate on full alert. Additionally, all problems have been fixed in terms of school infrastructure, and a full medical protocol will be strictly adhered, so the school continuous to be a haven for our future generations.

Furthermore, given the current circumstances, parents still hold the authority to choose between traditional school teaching and distance learning, as declared by the Ministry. 

Moreover, general education institutions throughout Georgia were equipped with all the necessary resources by order of the Minister of Health. Consequently, all schools are now fully prepared to accept students. The Ministry will systematically monitor the process of compliance with the rules set by the Ministry of Health.

Protecting the safety of students and, at the same time, providing them with access to quality education is a priority of the Government of Georgia and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport. Every decision made by the state regarding the educational process in light of an ongoing pandemic takes into account the current epidemiological situation in the country.