Saakashvili: Education System Top Priority
President Saakashvili said on July 22, that Georgia had no priority more important than development of education system.
In televised remarks during the meeting with senior officials from the Education Ministry, Saakashvili said that despite achievements, the country’s education system “is failing to tackle the modern challenges, which Georgia faces on its way towards modernization.”
“We substantially need a serious modernization of the education system with the modest finances, which we have,” Saakashvili said and added that it should be done through “making big focus” on developing applied science, fields of engineering and technologies.
The budget of the Education Ministry is GEL 561.68 million in 2010, up from GEL 519 million in 2009.
“When we speak about Singapore – Singapore was about it [developing applied science, fields of engineering and technologies] and when we speak about China – China’s development is about it,” he said.
“We should understand that education system is a strategic priority for our country; it’s impossible to have more important and strategic sector than that and each and every state institution is ready to assist you,” he told the Education Ministry officials and added: “But we are also expected from you that standards will be increased.”
“The current standards do not meet Georgia’s requirements for tomorrow,” Saakashvili said.
He also praised the Education Ministry and said: “In overall I want to tell you that we and the society highly value your work; although there are some shortcomings, we also see achievements.”
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