The Minister of Education and Science of Georgia Mr. Dimitri Shashkini held a meeting with representatives of the education system and talked about the new developments in the sector.  The meeting was attended by Heads of Educational Resource Centers, School Principals, teachers and schoolchildren. Minister briefly summed up the activities of the year and thoroughly discussed the future plans.

One of the innovations that were discussed during the meeting was a new system of school financing -  lump sum financing model . New formula was created according to which all public schools will have equal conditions despite of their location. From 2011 school voucher financing will be increased by 44 million GEL through optimization of administrative expenses of the ministry.  No schools will have budget deficit.

In accordance with the new model, all schools will have some sources for school infrastructure development which in turn will make them independent and contribute to the process of decentralization.

The new formula is calculated per pupil and fully meets the needs of unified national curriculum and other school requirements. It was developed by the experts of USAID, school principals and local specialists.

Dimitri Shashkini also talked about the importance of school teachers and school principal certification exams, he highlighted that this year, all teachers will have opportunity to pass exams and get higher salary, additionally, upon their choice, all teachers can also take exams in the minimal competency of English Language and Computer Skills, in case of their successful performance they will get surplus to their salaries.

 From 2011-2012 academic year all first graders will get net books, by June, 2011, a new factory will be constructed that will compile computers, English Language and ICT technology learning at primary level will be also enhanced.

School textbook approval rules will be made stricter. Hence, a competent committee will select only high quality textbooks.  For the first time, school exams will be held with CAT program. From a new semester a new list of major and selective subjects will be introduced.  In the end the Minister also touched upon the issue of improving teaching/ learning process at general and professional educational institutions.