Cancellation of the 12th Grade
The first and most politically controversial change was the cancellation of the 12th grade, meaning compulsory education would end after grade 11 and eventually be followed by the cancellation of unified national exams.
This decision sparked controversy for several reasons. Most importantly, removing the 12th grade signals a departure from European educational alignment. Georgia introduced a 12-year system after joining the Bologna Process in order to match university admission standards across Europe, where 12 years of schooling are typically required before higher education.
Although the Bologna system technically regulates universities rather than schools, countries adapted school duration so graduates could be eligible for admission abroad. Removing the final year, therefore, complicates admission for Georgian students internationally.
Another immediate effect would be competition. Instead of about 25,000 applicants, around 40,000 students would take unified national exams in 2027, drastically reducingthe chances of university admission.
After strong backlash, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the decision would be modified. The 12th grade may become optional for those planning to pursue higher education internationally. However, the government has previously reversed policies multiple times, so critics remain skeptical that the decision will stay stable.
“One Faculty — One City”
Another reform is the “one faculty — one city” principle. According to the government, specific academic fields would be concentrated in certain locations instead of being offered in multiple universities-mutlipile cities.
Officials claim this would decentralize the capital, reduce overpopulation in the Tbilisil, and support regional development. However, in reality, it will: Limit university autonomy, which is already a concern, considering “Georgian dream’s” anti-democratic path; it will restrict student’s freedom of choice and force relocation in order to study a desired profession. For many families, relocation would create significant additional financial stress.
Removal of State Grants in Private Universities
Another change would remove state scholarships in private universities.
Previously, financial aid depended on exam scores — students could receive 100%, 80%, or partial grants. The maximum state funding is 2,250 GEL, while tuition in private universities ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 GEL. Even the highest grant already failed to fully cover tuition for many students.
Removing grants entirely could reduce university participation by roughly 7,000 students who simply would not be able to afford education.
Limiting University Choices
Before the reform, students could list multiple universities in priority order during unified exam registration. If scores were insufficient for the first choice, the system automatically checked the next option. This ensured that only extremely low results left a student without admission.
Under the new rule, a student would be allowed to select only one university — eliminating all backup options and significantly increasing the risk of exclusion from higher education.
Considering unemployment and the low average salary in retail and service sectors being around 800–1200 GEL per month (266-400 euros), while rent and utilities in Tbilisi alone often reach 1300–1500 GEL, the reform could sharply increase the number of unemployed or underpaid young adults, which will eventually cause economic collapse and mass immigration, which is already nation’s huge problem.
