This spring, the vocational education system will receive students for the first time, who will be offered general education in addition to studying the vocation of their preference.

Tamar Kitiashvili, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia held a meeting with future teachers and local self-government representatives at Kobuleti College – “New Wave”,  where they discussed the plans and current challenges within the scope of the program.

After completing a compulsory basic education (9 grades) in the last 15 years, individuals had two choices - to either pursue secondary education or vocational education. Under the new program, students with basic education will be able to receive integrated vocational and general education simultenously. The duration of such programs is 3 years and the graduates will receive diplomas equal to full general education, and if desired,  they will continue their studies at higher education level.

Six vocational colleges across Georgia will start implementing integrated programs in the spring of 2020, including Kobuleti College - New Wave.

The Ministry of Education, with the support of the United Nations Development Program, is completing the preparatory phase for the implementation of the initiative, which has been underway since 2016 and is part of the training of teachers selected to teach these integrated programs. The first training was held at the New Wave College.

More than 100 candidates will undergo multi-stage training in February and March.